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

# iswctype(3)

wide-character classification

## NAME

iswctype - wide-character classification

## LIBRARY

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

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <wctype.h>
```

**int iswctype(wint\_t** *wc***, wctype\_t** *desc***);**

## DESCRIPTION

If *wc* is a wide character having the character property designated by *desc* (or in other words: belongs to the character class designated by *desc*), then the **iswctype**() function returns nonzero. Otherwise, it returns zero. If *wc* is **WEOF**, zero is returned.

*desc* must be a character property descriptor returned by the [**wctype**(3)](/wctype/3.md) function.

## RETURN VALUE

The **iswctype**() function returns nonzero if the *wc* has the designated property. Otherwise, it returns 0.

## ATTRIBUTES

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

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

## STANDARDS

C11, POSIX.1-2008.

## HISTORY

POSIX.1-2001, C99.

## NOTES

The behavior of **iswctype**() depends on the **LC\_CTYPE** category of the current locale.

## SEE ALSO

[**iswalnum**(3)](/iswalnum/3.md), [**iswalpha**(3)](/iswalpha/3.md), [**iswblank**(3)](/iswblank/3.md), [**iswcntrl**(3)](/iswcntrl/3.md), [**iswdigit**(3)](/iswdigit/3.md), [**iswgraph**(3)](/iswgraph/3.md), [**iswlower**(3)](/iswlower/3.md), [**iswprint**(3)](/iswprint/3.md), [**iswpunct**(3)](/iswpunct/3.md), [**iswspace**(3)](/iswspace/3.md), [**iswupper**(3)](/iswupper/3.md), [**iswxdigit**(3)](/iswxdigit/3.md), [**wctype**(3)](/wctype/3.md)