---
name: "inetutils-logger"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "inetutils-tools"
version: "2:2.6-3+deb13u3"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/inetutils-logger"
---

# inetutils-logger(1)

make entries in the system log

## NAME

**logger** – make entries in the system log

## SYNOPSIS

**logger** \[*options* *...*\] \[*message* *...*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**logger** provides a shell command interface to the [syslog(3)](/syslog/3.md) system log module.

## OPTIONS

- **-4,** **--ipv4**

  Use IPv4 to connect to hosts.

- **-6,** **--ipv6**

  Use IPv6 to connect to hosts.

- **-S**, **--source** *ip*

  Set source IP address.

- **-h**, **--host** *host*

  Log to *host* instead of to the default */dev/log*.

- **-u**, **--unix** *sock*

  Log to UNIX socket *sock* instead of */dev/log*.

- **-i**, **--id** \[*pid*\]

  Log the process id of the logger process with each line.

- **-s**, **--stderr**

  Log the message to standard error, as well as the system log.

- **-f**, **--file** *file*

  Log the specified file.

- **-p**, **--priority** *pri*

  Enter the message with the specified priority. The priority may be specified numerically or as a "facility.level" pair. For example, "-p local3.info" logs the message(s) as *info*rmational level in the *local3* facility. The default is "user.notice."

- **-t**, **--tag** *tag*

  Mark every line in the log with the specified *tag*.

- **--usage**

  Display a short usage message.

- **-?,** **--help**

  Display a help list.

- **-V,** **--version**

  Display program version.

- *message*

  Write the message to log; if not specified, and the **-f** flag is not provided, standard input is logged.

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

## EXAMPLES

```
logger System rebooted
logger -p local0.notice -t HOSTIDM -f /dev/idmc
```

## SEE ALSO

[syslog(3)](/syslog/3.md), [syslogd(8)](/syslogd/8.md).

## STANDARDS

The **logger** command is expected to be IEEE Std 1003.2 (“POSIX.2”) compatible.