---
name: "fmt"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "coreutils"
version: "9.12-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/fmt"
---

# fmt(1)

simple optimal text formatter

## NAME

fmt - simple optimal text formatter

## SYNOPSIS

**fmt** \[*-WIDTH*\] \[*OPTION*\]... \[*FILE*\]...

## DESCRIPTION

Reformat each paragraph in the FILE(s), writing to standard output. The option **-WIDTH** is an abbreviated form of **--width**=*DIGITS*.

With no FILE, or when FILE is -, read standard input.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

- **-c, --crown-margin**

  preserve indentation of first two lines

- **-p, --prefix=STRING**

  reformat only lines beginning with STRING, reattaching the prefix to reformatted lines

- **-s, --split-only**

  split long lines, but do not refill

- **-t, --tagged-paragraph**

  indentation of first line different from second

- **-u, --uniform-spacing**

  one space between words, two after sentences

- **-w, --width=WIDTH**

  maximum line width (default of 75 columns)

- **-g, --goal=WIDTH**

  goal width (default of 93% of width)

- **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **--version**

  output version information and exit

## AUTHOR

Written by Ross Paterson.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to: \<bug-coreutils@gnu.org\>.\
 Report any translation bugs to: \<https://translationproject.org/team/\>.\
 GNU coreutils home page: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/\>\
 General help using GNU software: \<https://www.gnu.org/gethelp/\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2026 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>.\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

Full documentation \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/fmt\>\
 or available locally via: info '(coreutils) fmt invocation'