---
name: "basename"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "coreutils"
version: "9.12-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/basename"
---

# basename(1)

strip directory and suffix from filenames

## NAME

basename - strip directory and suffix from filenames

## SYNOPSIS

**basename** *NAME* \[*SUFFIX*\]\
 **basename** *OPTION*... *NAME*...

## DESCRIPTION

Print NAME with any leading directory components removed. If specified, also remove a trailing SUFFIX.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

- **-a, --multiple**

  support multiple arguments and treat each as a NAME

- **-s, --suffix=SUFFIX**

  remove a trailing SUFFIX; implies **-a**

- **-z, --zero**

  end each output line with NUL, not newline

- **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **--version**

  output version information and exit

## EXAMPLES

- basename /usr/bin/sort

  \-\> "sort"

- basename include/stdio.h .h

  \-\> "stdio"

- basename -s .h include/stdio.h

  \-\> "stdio"

- basename -a any/str1 any/str2

  \-\> "str1" followed by "str2"

## AUTHOR

Written by David MacKenzie.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to: \<bug-coreutils@gnu.org\>.\
 Report any translation bugs to: \<https://translationproject.org/team/\>.\
 GNU coreutils home page: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/\>\
 General help using GNU software: \<https://www.gnu.org/gethelp/\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2026 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>.\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

[**dirname**(1)](/dirname/1.md), [**readlink**(1)](/readlink/1.md)

Full documentation \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/basename\>\
 or available locally via: info '(coreutils) basename invocation'