---
name: "lp"
section: "1"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lp"
---

# lp(1)

front-end to the print spooler

## NAME

**lp** – front-end to the print spooler

## SYNOPSIS

**lp** \[**-cs**\] \[**-o** *option*\] \[**-d** *printer*\] \[**-n** *num*\] \[*name* *...*\]

## DEPRECATION NOTICE

This facility is scheduled for removal prior to the release of FreeBSD 16.0.

## DESCRIPTION

The **lp** utility is a front-end to the print spooler as required by the IEEE Std 1003.2 (“POSIX.2”) specification. It effectively invokes [lpr(1)](/lpr/1.md) with the proper set of arguments.

It generally prints the named files on the destination printer.

The following options are available:

- **-c**

  Make the **lp** command exit only after further access to any of the input files is no longer required. The application can then safely delete or modify the files without affecting the output operation.

- **-d** *dest*

  Specify a particular printer. If no **-d** is provided on the command line, the contents of the environment variables LPDEST or PRINTER (with this precedence) are taken as the destination printer.

- **-m**

  Send mail upon completion.

- **-n** *num*

  Specify that *num* copies of each of the named files shall be printed.

- **-o** *option*

  Printer specific options. Not supported, provided only as a compatibility option for SVR.

- **-s**

  Silent operation. Not supported, provided only as a compatibility option for Version 2 of the Single UNIX Specification (“SUSv2”).

- **-t** *title*

  Set the job title to *title*.

## ENVIRONMENT

As described above, the variables LPDEST and PRINTER are examined to select the destination printer.

## SEE ALSO

[lpr(1)](/lpr/1.md)

## STANDARDS

The **lp** command is expected to comply with the IEEE Std 1003.2 (“POSIX.2”) specification.

## AUTHORS

This implementation of the **lp** command has been written by Jörg Wunsch.

## BUGS

The IEEE Std 1003.2 (“POSIX.2”) specification does not provide any means to print non-text files. It rather requires the files to be printed to be text files limited to reasonable line lengths and printable characters.