---
name: "dnstap-read"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "bind9-dnsutils"
version: "1:9.20.26-1~deb13u1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/dnstap-read"
---

# dnstap-read(1)

print dnstap data in human-readable form

## NAME

dnstap-read - print dnstap data in human-readable form

## SYNOPSIS

**dnstap-read** \[**-m**\] \[**-p**\] \[**-x**\] \[**-y**\] {file}

## DESCRIPTION

**dnstap-read** reads **dnstap** data from a specified file and prints it in a human-readable format. By default, **dnstap** data is printed in a short summary format, but if the **-y** option is specified, a longer and more detailed YAML format is used.

## OPTIONS

- **-m**

  This option indicates trace memory allocations, and is used for debugging memory leaks.

- **-p**

  This option prints the text form of the DNS message that was encapsulated in the **dnstap** frame, after printing the **dnstap** data.

- **-t**

  This option prints long timestamps with millisecond precision.

- **-x**

  This option prints a hex dump of the wire form of the DNS message that was encapsulated in the **dnstap** frame, after printing the **dnstap** data.

- **-y**

  This option prints **dnstap** data in a detailed YAML format.

## SEE ALSO

**[named(8)](/named/8.md)** \<#std-iscman-named\>, **[rndc(8)](/rndc/8.md)** \<#std-iscman-rndc\>, BIND 9 Administrator Reference Manual.

## Author

Internet Systems Consortium

## Copyright

2026, Internet Systems Consortium