---
name: "isspecial"
section: "3"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/isspecial"
---

# isspecial(3)

special character test

## NAME

**isspecial**, **isspecial\_l** – special character test

## LIBRARY

Standard C Library (libc, -lc)

## SYNOPSIS

**#include \<ctype.h\>**

*int*\

**isspecial**(*int c*);

*int*\

**isspecial\_l**(*int c*, *locale\_t loc*);

## DESCRIPTION

The **isspecial**() and **isspecial\_l**() functions test for a special character.

The **isspecial\_l**() function takes an explicit locale argument, whereas the **isspecial**() function uses the current global or per-thread locale.

## RETURN VALUES

The **isspecial**() and **isspecial\_l**() functions return zero if the character tests false and return non-zero if the character tests true.

## COMPATIBILITY

The 4.4BSD extension of accepting arguments outside of the range of the *unsigned char* type in locales with large character sets is considered obsolete and may not be supported in future releases. The **iswspecial**() or **iswspecial\_l**() function should be used instead.

## SEE ALSO

[ctype(3)](/ctype/3.md), [ctype\_l(3)](/ctype_l/3.md), [iswspecial(3)](/iswspecial/3.md), [iswspecial\_l(3)](/iswspecial_l/3.md), [xlocale(3)](/xlocale/3.md)

## HISTORY

The **isspecial**() function appeared in 4.4BSD.