---
name: "mkpasswd"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "passwd"
version: "961025-2.1"
release: "Debian 1.3 (Bo)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/mkpasswd/8"
---

# mkpasswd(8)

Update passwd and group database files

## NAME

mkpasswd - Update passwd and group database files

## SYNOPSIS

**mkpasswd** \[**-fvgps**\] *file*

## DESCRIPTION

**mkpasswd** reads the file in the format given by the flags and converts it to the corresponding database file format. These database files are used to improve access performance on systems with large numbers of users. The output files will be named *file*.dir and *file*.pag.

The **-f** option causes **mkpasswd** to ignore any existing output files and overwrite them. Normally **mkpasswd** complains about existing output files and quits.

The **-v** option causes **mkpasswd** to output information about each record as it is converted, with a final message at the very end.

The **-g** option treats the input file as though it were in */etc/group* file format. When combined with the **-s** option, the */etc/gshadow* file format is used instead.

The **-p** option treats the input file as though it were in */etc/passwd* file format. This is the default. When combined with the **-s** option, the */etc/shadow* file format is used instead.

## CAVEATS

The use of more than one database file is limited to systems which include the NDBM database library and therefore may not be available on every system.

## NOTE

Since most commands are capable of updating the database files as changes are made, this command need only be used when re-creating a deleted or corrupted database file.

## FILES

/etc/passwd - user account information\
 /etc/shadow - shadow user information\
 /etc/group - group information\
 /etc/gshadow - shadow group information

## SEE ALSO

[**passwd**(5)](/passwd/5.md), [**group**(5)](/group/5.md), [**shadow**(5)](/shadow/5.md)