---
name: "ntpwait"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "ntpsec"
version: "1.2.3+dfsg1-8"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ntpwait"
---

# ntpwait(8)

wait for ntpd to stabilize the system clock

## NAME

ntpwait - wait for ntpd to stabilize the system clock

## SYNOPSIS

`ntpwait` \[`-vV`\] \[`-n` *number*\] \[`-s` *secs*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The `ntpwait` program blocks until ntpd is in synchronized state. This can be useful at boot time, to delay the boot sequence until after "ntpd -g" has set the time.

`ntpwait` will send at most *number* queries to [ntpd(8)](/ntpd/8.md), sleeping for *secs* seconds after each status return that says [ntpd(8)](/ntpd/8.md) has not yet produced a synchronized and stable system clock.

`ntpwait` will do this quietly, unless the `-v` flag is provided.

## OPTIONS

- `-n` *number*, `--tries`=*number*

  Number of times to check ntpd. This option takes an integer number as its argument. The default *number* for this option is: 100.

  The maximum number of times we will check *ntpd* to see if it has been able to synchronize and stabilize the system clock.

- `-s` *secs-between-tries*, `--sleep`=*secs-between-tries*

  How long to sleep between tries. This option takes an integer number as its argument. The default *secs-between-tries* for this option is: 6.

  We will sleep for *secs-between-tries* after each query of *ntpd* that returns "the time is not yet stable".

- `-v`, `--verbose`

  Be verbose.

  By default, `ntpwait` is silent. With this option, `ntpwait` will provide status information, including time to synchronization in seconds.

- `-V`, `--version`

  Print the version string and exit.

## EXIT STATUS

One of the following exit values will be returned:

0

Successful program execution.

1

The operation failed or the command syntax was not valid.

2

Operation was interrupted by signal.