---
name: "kpseaccess"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "texlive-doc"
version: "2026.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/kpseaccess"
---

# kpseaccess(1)

determine whether a file can be accessed

## NAME

kpseaccess - determine whether a file can be accessed

## SYNOPSIS

**kpseaccess** *mode* *file*

## DESCRIPTION

Exit successfully if *file* can be accessed with the specified *mode*. The *mode* is an optional dash (\`**-**') followed by zero or more letters of **rwx**, where **r** is for readable, **w** is for writable, and **x** is for executable.

The difference between **kpseaccess** and **test** is that the latter looks at the permission bits, while the former checks using the [**access**(2)](/access/2.md) system call.  This makes a difference when file systems have been mounted read-only.

## OPTIONS

**kpseaccess** accepts the following options:

- **--help**

  Print help message and exit.

- **--version**

  Print version information and exit.

## SEE ALSO

[**access**(2)](/access/2.md)