---
name: "httpd"
section: "8"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["linux", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/httpd"
---

# httpd(8)

HTTP daemon

## NAME

**httpd** – HTTP daemon

## SYNOPSIS

**httpd** \[**-dnv**\] \[**-D** *macro*=*value*\] \[**-f** *file*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **httpd** daemon is an HTTP server with FastCGI and TLS support.

The FastCGI implementation has optional socket support. **httpd** can log to [syslog(3)](/syslog/3.md) or per-server files with several standard formats.

**httpd** rereads its configuration file when it receives SIGHUP and reopens log files when it receives SIGUSR1.

The options are as follows:

- **-D** *macro*=*value*

  Set a *macro* to a *value*. Macros can be referenced in the configuration files.

- **-d**

  Debug mode. Create one server and don't detach or become a daemon. This allows for easy monitoring of **httpd**.

- **-f** *file*

  Specifies the configuration file. The default is */etc/httpd.conf*.

- **-n**

  Check that the configuration is valid, but don't start any servers.

- **-v**

  Verbose mode. Multiple **-v** options increase the verbosity.

## FILES

- */etc/httpd.conf*

  Default configuration file.

- */etc/ssl/private/server.key*

  Default SSL/TLS server key.

- */etc/ssl/server.crt*

  Default SSL/TLS server certificate.

- */var/www/logs/access.log*

  Default access log file.

- */var/www/logs/error.log*

  Default error log file.

## SEE ALSO

[acme-client(1)](/acme-client/1.md), [httpd.conf(5)](/httpd.conf/5.md), [slowcgi(8)](/slowcgi/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **httpd** program first appeared in OpenBSD 5.6. **httpd** is based on [relayd(8)](/relayd/8.md).

## AUTHORS

The **httpd** program was written by Reyk Floeter ⟨*reyk@openbsd.org*⟩.