---
name: "elf64_newehdr"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libelf"
version: "0.197-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/elf32_newehdr"
---

# elf64\_newehdr(3)

create a new ELF header for a 32-bit or 64-bit ELF object file

Part of [elf32\_newehdr(3)](/elf32_newehdr/3.md).

## NAME

elf32\_newehdr, elf64\_newehdr - create a new ELF header for a 32-bit or 64-bit ELF object file

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <libelf.h>
Elf32_Ehdr *elf32_newehdr(Elf *elf);
Elf64_Ehdr *elf64_newehdr(Elf *elf);
```

## DESCRIPTION

This function initializes a new ELF header and associates it with *elf*. If *elf* already has an ELF header associated with it, no new header will be created and the existing header will be returned.  An ELF header must be present before calling **elf\_newscn** or **elf\_newphdr**.

## PARAMETERS

- *elf*

  ELF descriptor for which a new ELF header is to be created.

## RETURN VALUE

On success, return a pointer to the newly created ELF header.  If *elf* already has an ELF header associated with it, this pre-existing header is returned and no new header is created. On failure, return NULL and set a libelf error code.

## SEE ALSO

[**elf\_errno**(3)](/elf_errno/3.md), [**libelf**(3)](/libelf/3.md), [**elf**(5)](/elf/5.md)

## ATTRIBUTES

For an explanation of the terms used in this section, see [**attributes**(7)](/attributes/7.md).

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Interface** | **Attribute** | **Value** |
| **elf32\_newehdr**(), **elf64\_newehdr**() | Thread safety | MT-Safe |

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to \<elfutils-devel@sourceware.org\> or https://sourceware.org/bugzilla/.