---
name: "fc-pattern"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "fontconfig"
version: "2:2.18.3-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/fc-pattern"
---

# fc-pattern(1)

parse and show pattern

## NAME

fc-pattern - parse and show pattern

## SYNOPSIS

**fc-pattern** \[ **-cdVh** \] \[ **--config** \] \[ **--default** \] \[ **-f** *format* \| **--format** *format* \] \[ **--version** \] \[ **--help** \]\
     \[ *pattern*  **\[** *element ...* **\]**  \]

## DESCRIPTION

**fc-pattern** parses *pattern* (empty pattern by default) and shows the parsed result. If **--config** is given, config substitution is performed on the pattern before being displayed. If **--default** is given, default substitution is performed on the pattern before being displayed.

If any elements are specified, only those are printed.

## OPTIONS

This program follows the usual GNU command line syntax, with long options starting with two dashes (\`-').  A summary of options is included below.

- **-c --config**

  Perform config substitution on pattern.

- **-d --default**

  Perform default substitution on pattern.

- **-f --format** *format*

  Format output according to the format specifier *format*.

- **-V --version**

  Show version of the program and exit.

- **-h --help**

  Show summary of options.

- *pattern*

  Parses and displays *pattern* (uses empty pattern by default).

- *element*

  If set, the *element* property is displayed for parsed pattern.

## SEE ALSO

[**FcNameParse**(3)](/FcNameParse/3.md) [**FcConfigSubstitute**(3)](/FcConfigSubstitute/3.md) [**FcDefaultSubstitute**(3)](/FcDefaultSubstitute/3.md) [**FcPatternPrint**(3)](/FcPatternPrint/3.md) [**FcPatternFormat**(3)](/FcPatternFormat/3.md) [**fc-cat**(1)](/fc-cat/1.md) [**fc-cache**(1)](/fc-cache/1.md) [**fc-list**(1)](/fc-list/1.md) [**fc-match**(1)](/fc-match/1.md) [**fc-query**(1)](/fc-query/1.md) [**fc-scan**(1)](/fc-scan/1.md)

The fontconfig user's guide \<URL:https://fontconfig.pages.freedesktop.org/fontconfig/fontconfig-user.html\>

## AUTHOR

This manual page was updated by Behdad Esfahbod \<behdad@behdad.org\>.