---
name: "mesg"
section: "1"
platform: "openbsd"
package: "man"
version: "8.0-current-20261101"
release: "OpenBSD 8.0-current (2026-11-01)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/mesg"
---

# mesg(1)

display (do not display) messages from other users

## NAME

**mesg** – display (do not display) messages from other users

## SYNOPSIS

**mesg** \[**n** \| **y**\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **mesg** utility is invoked by a user to control write access others have to the terminal device associated with the standard error output. Write access is allowed by default, and programs such as [talk(1)](/talk/1.md) and [write(1)](/write/1.md) may display messages on the terminal.

The options are as follows:

- **n**

  Disallows messages.

- **y**

  Permits messages to be displayed.

If no arguments are given, **mesg** displays the present message status to the standard error output.

## FILES

- */dev/\[pt\]ty\[pq\]?*

  ## EXIT STATUS

The **mesg** utility exits with one of the following values:

- 0

  Messages are allowed.

- 1

  Messages are not allowed.

- 1

  An error has occurred.

## SEE ALSO

[biff(1)](/biff/1.md), [talk(1)](/talk/1.md), [write(1)](/write/1.md)

## STANDARDS

The **mesg** utility is compliant with the IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”) specification.

## HISTORY

A **mesg** command appeared in Version 1 AT&T UNIX.