---
name: "pcp-uptime"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pcp"
version: "7.2.2-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pcp-uptime"
---

# pcp-uptime(1)

tell how long the system has been running

## NAME

**pcp-uptime** - tell how long the system has been running

## SYNOPSIS

**pcp** \[*pcp options*\] **uptime** \[**-V?**\]

## DESCRIPTION

**pcp-uptime** gives a one line display of the following information. The current time, how long the system has been running, how many users are currently logged on, and the system load averages for the past 1, 5, and 15 minutes.

When invoked via the [**pcp**(1)](/pcp/1.md) command, the **-h**/ **--host**, **-a**/ **--archive**, **-O**/ **--origin**, **-Z**/ **--timezone** and several other *pcp options* become indirectly available.

## OPTIONS

The available command line options are:

- **-V**, **--version**

  Display version number and exit.

- **-?**, **--help**

  Display usage message and exit.

When replaying from an archive using the **-a** option, the required information may not be available at the default starting time, in which case the reported values will be \`\`?''. In this case, use the **-S** or **-O** options to move the starting time into a point in the archive where the required information is available.

## NOTES

**pcp-uptime** is inspired by the [**uptime**(1)](/uptime/1.md) command and aims to be command line and output compatible with it.

## PCP ENVIRONMENT

Environment variables with the prefix **PCP\_** are used to parameterize the file and directory names used by PCP. On each installation, the file */etc/pcp.conf* contains the local values for these variables. The **$PCP\_CONF** variable may be used to specify an alternative configuration file, as described in [**pcp.conf**(5)](/pcp.conf/5.md).

For environment variables affecting PCP tools, see [**pmGetOptions**(3)](/pmGetOptions/3.md).

## SEE ALSO

[**PCPIntro**(1)](/PCPIntro/1.md), [**pcp**(1)](/pcp/1.md), [**uptime**(1)](/uptime/1.md) and [**environ**(7)](/environ/7.md).