---
name: "getconf"
section: "1"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/getconf"
---

# getconf(1)

get configuration values

## NAME

**getconf** – get configuration values

## SYNOPSIS

**getconf** \[**-Ll**\] \[**-v** *specification*\] *name* \[*pathname*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **getconf** utility writes the current value of a configurable system limit or option variable to the standard output.

The *name* argument specifies the system variable to be queried. The *pathname* argument must be supplied for system variables associated with a pathname.

The options are as follows:

- **-L**

  List the system variables that can be used with the **getconf** utility that require a *pathname* argument.

- **-l**

  List the system variables that can be used with the **getconf** utility without a *pathname* argument.

- **-v** *specification*

  Indicate a specific version and compilation environment for which configuration variables shall be queried. OpenBSD does not change behavior for different compilation environments, so the argument to this option is only checked for validity.

## EXIT STATUS

The **getconf** utility exits 0 on success, and \>0 if an error occurs.

## SEE ALSO

[pathconf(2)](/pathconf/2.md), [confstr(3)](/confstr/3.md), [sysconf(3)](/sysconf/3.md)

## STANDARDS

The **getconf** utility is compliant with the IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”) specification.

The flags \[**-Ll**\] are extensions to that specification.