---
name: "fgets"
section: "3"
platform: "macos"
package: "Libc"
version: "1752.120.2"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/fgets"
---

# fgets(3)

get a line from a stream

## NAME

**fgets**, **gets** – get a line from a stream

## LIBRARY

Standard C Library (libc, -lc)

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<stdio.h\>**

*char* *\**\

**fgets**(*char \* restrict str*, *int size*, *FILE \* restrict stream*);

*char* *\**\

**gets**(*char \*str*);

## DESCRIPTION

The **fgets**() function reads at most one less than the number of characters specified by *size* from the given *stream* and stores them in the string *str*. Reading stops when a newline character is found, at end-of-file or error. The newline, if any, is retained. If any characters are read and there is no error, a ‘\\0’ character is appended to end the string.

The **gets**() function is equivalent to **fgets**() with an infinite *size* and a *stream* of stdin, except that the newline character (if any) is not stored in the string. It is the caller's responsibility to ensure that the input line, if any, is sufficiently short to fit in the string.

## RETURN VALUES

Upon successful completion, **fgets**() and **gets**() return a pointer to the string. If end-of-file occurs before any characters are read, they return NULL and the buffer contents remain unchanged. If an error occurs, they return NULL and the buffer contents are indeterminate. The **fgets**() and **gets**() functions do not distinguish between end-of-file and error, and callers must use [feof(3)](/feof/3.md) and [ferror(3)](/ferror/3.md) to determine which occurred.

## ERRORS

- \[EBADF\]

  The given *stream* is not a readable stream.

The function **fgets**() may also fail and set *errno* for any of the errors specified for the routines [fflush(3)](/fflush/3.md), [fstat(2)](/fstat/2.md), [read(2)](/read/2.md), or [malloc(3)](/malloc/3.md).

The function **gets**() may also fail and set *errno* for any of the errors specified for the routine [getchar(3)](/getchar/3.md).

## SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS

The **gets**() function cannot be used securely. Because of its lack of bounds checking, and the inability for the calling program to reliably determine the length of the next incoming line, the use of this function enables malicious users to arbitrarily change a running program's functionality through a buffer overflow attack. It is strongly suggested that the **fgets**() function be used in all cases. (See the FSA.)

## SEE ALSO

[feof(3)](/feof/3.md), [ferror(3)](/ferror/3.md), [fgetln(3)](/fgetln/3.md), [fgetws(3)](/fgetws/3.md), [getline(3)](/getline/3.md)

## STANDARDS

The functions **fgets**() and **gets**() conform to ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (“ISO C99”).