---
name: "colrm"
section: "1"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/colrm"
---

# colrm(1)

remove columns from a file

## NAME

**colrm** – remove columns from a file

## SYNOPSIS

**colrm** \[*start* \[*stop*\]\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **colrm** utility removes selected columns from the lines of a file. A column is defined as a single character in a line. Input is read from the standard input. Output is written to the standard output.

If only the *start* column is specified, columns numbered less than the *start* column will be written. If both *start* and *stop* columns are specified, columns numbered less than the *start* column or greater than the *stop* column will be written. Column numbering starts with one, not zero.

Tab characters increment the column count to the next multiple of eight. Backspace characters decrement the column count by one.

## ENVIRONMENT

The LANG, LC\_ALL and LC\_CTYPE environment variables affect the execution of **colrm** as described in [environ(7)](/environ/7.md).

## EXIT STATUS

The **colrm** utility exits 0 on success, and \>0 if an error occurs.

## EXAMPLES

Show columns below 3 (c) and above 5 (e):

```
$ echo -e "abcdefgh\n12345678" | colrm 3 5
abfgh
12678
```

Specifying a start column bigger than the number of columns in the file is allowed and shows all the columns:

```
$ echo "abcdefgh" | colrm 100
abcdefgh
```

Using 1 as start column will show nothing:

```
$ echo "abcdefgh" | colrm 1
```

## SEE ALSO

[awk(1)](/awk/1.md), [column(1)](/column/1.md), [cut(1)](/cut/1.md), [paste(1)](/paste/1.md)

## HISTORY

The **colrm** utility first appeared in 1BSD.

## AUTHORS

Jeff Schriebman wrote the original version of **colrm** in November 1974.