---
name: "chkpasswd"
section: "8"
platform: "macos"
package: "system_cmds"
version: "1042.120.1"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/chkpasswd"
---

# chkpasswd(8)

verifies user password against various systems

## NAME

**chkpasswd** – verifies user password against various systems

## SYNOPSIS

**chkpasswd** \[**-i** *infosystem* \[**-l** *location*\]\] \[**-c**\] \[*name*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**chkpasswd** verifies a supplied username and password against file, NIS, or OpenDirectory infosystems.

The options are as follows:

- **-c**

  The supplied password is compared verbatim without first being encrypted.

- **-i** *infosystem*

  Specify the system against which to check the password (default is PAM). Valid systems:

  - *file*

    File-based passwords

  - *nis*

    NIS/YP authentication

  - *opendirectory*

    OpenDirectory (Directory Services) authentication. If no **-l** option is specified, the search node is used.

  - *PAM*

    Pluggable Authentication Modules

- **-l** *location*

  Specify a location; varies based on infosystem type:

  - for file

    Filename (default: /etc/master.passwd).

  - for nis

    NIS domainname.

  - for opendirectory

    A directory node name such as /Local/Default.

  - for PAM

    Unused.

*name* username

## SEE ALSO

dscl(1), [passwd(5)](/passwd/5.md)