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

# lpq(1)

spool queue examination program

## NAME

**lpq** – spool queue examination program

## SYNOPSIS

**lpq** \[**-a**\] \[**-l**\] \[**-P***printer*\] \[job # ...\] \[user ...\]

## DEPRECATION NOTICE

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

## DESCRIPTION

The **lpq** utility examines the spooling area used by [lpd(8)](/lpd/8.md) for printing files on the line printer, and reports the status of the specified jobs or all jobs associated with a user. The **lpq** utility invoked without any arguments reports on any jobs currently in the queue.

Options:

- **-P**

  Specify a particular printer, otherwise the default line printer is used (or the value of the PRINTER variable in the environment). All other arguments supplied are interpreted as user names or job numbers to filter out only those jobs of interest.

- **-l**

  Information about each of the files comprising the job entry is printed. Normally, only as much information as will fit on one line is displayed.

- **-a**

  Report on the local queues for all printers, rather than just the specified printer.

For each job submitted (i.e., invocation of [lpr(1)](/lpr/1.md)) **lpq** reports the user's name, current rank in the queue, the names of files comprising the job, the job identifier (a number which may be supplied to [lprm(1)](/lprm/1.md) for removing a specific job), and the total size in bytes. Job ordering is dependent on the algorithm used to scan the spooling directory and is supposed to be FIFO (First in First Out). File names comprising a job may be unavailable (when [lpr(1)](/lpr/1.md) is used as a sink in a pipeline) in which case the file is indicated as \`\`(standard input)''.

If **lpq** warns that there is no daemon present (i.e., due to some malfunction), the [lpc(8)](/lpc/8.md) command can be used to restart the printer daemon.

## ENVIRONMENT

If the following environment variable exists, it is used by **lpq**:

- PRINTER

  Specifies an alternate default printer.

## FILES

- */etc/printcap*

  To determine printer characteristics.

- */var/spool/\**

  The spooling directory, as determined from printcap.

- */var/spool/\*/cf\**

  Control files specifying jobs.

- */var/spool/\*/lock*

  The lock file to obtain the currently active job.

## DIAGNOSTICS

Unable to open various files. The lock file being malformed. Garbage files when there is no daemon active, but files in the spooling directory.

## SEE ALSO

[lpr(1)](/lpr/1.md), [lprm(1)](/lprm/1.md), [lpc(8)](/lpc/8.md), [lpd(8)](/lpd/8.md)

## HISTORY

A **lpq** utility appeared in 3BSD.

## BUGS

Due to the dynamic nature of the information in the spooling directory **lpq** may report unreliably. Output formatting is sensitive to the line length of the terminal; this can results in widely spaced columns.