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

# localeconv(3)

get numeric formatting information

## NAME

localeconv - get numeric formatting information

## LIBRARY

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

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <locale.h>
```

**struct lconv \*localeconv(void);**

## DESCRIPTION

The **localeconv**() function returns a pointer to a *struct lconv* for the current locale. This structure is shown in [**locale**(7)](/locale/7.md), and contains all values associated with the locale categories **LC\_NUMERIC** and **LC\_MONETARY**. Programs may also use the functions [**printf**(3)](/printf/3.md) and [**strfmon**(3)](/strfmon/3.md), which behave according to the actual locale in use.

## RETURN VALUE

The **localeconv**() function returns a pointer to a filled in *struct lconv*. This structure may be (in glibc, *is*) statically allocated, and may be overwritten by subsequent calls. According to POSIX, the caller should not modify the contents of this structure. The **localeconv**() function always succeeds.

## ATTRIBUTES

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

| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Interface** | **Attribute** | **Value** |
| **localeconv**() | Thread safety | MT-Unsafe race:localeconv locale |

## STANDARDS

C11.

## HISTORY

C89.

## BUGS

The [**printf**(3)](/printf/3.md) family of functions may or may not honor the current locale.

## SEE ALSO

[**locale**(1)](/locale/1.md), [**localedef**(1)](/localedef/1.md), [**isalpha**(3)](/isalpha/3.md), [**nl\_langinfo**(3)](/nl_langinfo/3.md), [**setlocale**(3)](/setlocale/3.md), [**strcoll**(3)](/strcoll/3.md), [**strftime**(3)](/strftime/3.md), [**locale**(7)](/locale/7.md)