---
name: "SDL_GetPixelFormatName"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libsdl3-doc"
version: "3.2.10+ds-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/SDL_GetPixelFormatName"
---

# SDL\_GetPixelFormatName(3)

Get the human readable name of a pixel format.

## NAME

SDL\_GetPixelFormatName - Get the human readable name of a pixel format.

## HEADER FILE

Defined in SDL3/SDL\_pixels.h

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include "SDL3/SDL.h"
```

**const char \* SDL\_GetPixelFormatName(SDL\_PixelFormat format);**

## FUNCTION PARAMETERS

- *format*

  the pixel format to query.

## RETURN VALUE

Returns the human readable name of the specified pixel format or " **SDL\_PIXELFORMAT\_UNKNOWN** " if the format isn't recognized.

## THREAD SAFETY

It is safe to call this function from any thread.

## AVAILABILITY

This function is available since SDL 3.2.0.