---
name: "cat"
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/cat"
---

# cat(1)

concatenate files and print on the standard output

## NAME

cat - concatenate files and print on the standard output

## SYNOPSIS

**cat** \[*OPTION*\]... \[*FILE*\]...

## DESCRIPTION

Concatenate FILE(s) to standard output.

With no FILE, or when FILE is -, read standard input.

- **-A, --show-all**

  equivalent to **-vET**

- **-b, --number-nonblank**

  number nonempty output lines, overrides **-n**

- **-e**

  equivalent to **-vE**

- **-E, --show-ends**

  display $ or ^M$ at end of each line

- **-n, --number**

  number all output lines

- **-s, --squeeze-blank**

  suppress repeated empty output lines

- **-t**

  equivalent to **-vT**

- **-T, --show-tabs**

  display TAB characters as ^I

- **-u**

  (ignored)

- **-v, --show-nonprinting**

  use ^ and M- notation, except for LFD and TAB

- **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **--version**

  output version information and exit

## EXAMPLES

- cat f - g

  Output f's contents, then standard input, then g's contents.

- cat

  Copy standard input to standard output.

## AUTHOR

Written by Torbjorn Granlund and Richard M. Stallman.

## 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

[**tac**(1)](/tac/1.md)

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