---
name: "al_clear_depth_buffer"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "allegro"
version: "5.2.11.3-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/al_clear_depth_buffer"
---

# al\_clear\_depth\_buffer(3)

Allegro 5 API

## NAME

al\_clear\_depth\_buffer - Allegro 5 API

## SYNOPSIS

-

  ```
  #include <allegro5/allegro.h>
  void al_clear_depth_buffer(float z)
  ```

## DESCRIPTION

Clear the depth buffer (confined by the clipping rectangle) to the given value. A depth buffer is only available if it was requested with [al\_set\_new\_display\_option(3)](/al_set_new_display_option/3.md) and the requirement could be met by the [al\_create\_display(3)](/al_create_display/3.md) call creating the current display. Operations involving the depth buffer are also affected by [al\_set\_render\_state(3)](/al_set_render_state/3.md).

For example, if `ALLEGRO_DEPTH_FUNCTION` is set to `ALLEGRO_RENDER_LESS` then depth buffer value of 1 represents infinite distance, and thus is a good value to use when clearing the depth buffer.

## SINCE

5\.1.2

## SEE ALSO

[al\_clear\_to\_color(3)](/al_clear_to_color/3.md), [al\_set\_clipping\_rectangle(3)](/al_set_clipping_rectangle/3.md), [al\_set\_render\_state(3)](/al_set_render_state/3.md), [al\_set\_new\_display\_option(3)](/al_set_new_display_option/3.md)