---
name: "getloadavg"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "man-pages"
version: "6.19-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/getloadavg"
---

# getloadavg(3)

get system load averages

## NAME

getloadavg - get system load averages

## LIBRARY

Standard C library (*libc*, *-lc*)

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <stdlib.h>
```

**int getloadavg(double** *loadavg\[\]***, int** *n***);**

Feature Test Macro Requirements for glibc (see [**feature\_test\_macros**(7)](/feature_test_macros/7.md)):

**getloadavg**():

```
    Since glibc 2.19:
        _DEFAULT_SOURCE
    In glibc up to and including 2.19:
        _BSD_SOURCE
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **getloadavg**() function returns the number of processes in the system run queue averaged over various periods of time. Up to *n* samples are retrieved and assigned to successive elements of *loadavg\[\]*. The system imposes a maximum of 3 samples, representing averages over the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes, respectively.

## RETURN VALUE

If the load average was unobtainable, -1 is returned; otherwise, the number of samples actually retrieved is returned.

## ATTRIBUTES

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

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Interface** | **Attribute** | **Value** |
| **getloadavg**() | Thread safety | MT-Safe |

## STANDARDS

BSD.

## HISTORY

4\.3BSD-Reno, Solaris. glibc 2.2.

## SEE ALSO

[**uptime**(1)](/uptime/1.md), [**proc**(5)](/proc/5.md)