---
name: "pwd"
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/pwd"
---

# pwd(1)

return working directory name

## NAME

**pwd** – return working directory name

## SYNOPSIS

**pwd** \[**-L** \| **-P**\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **pwd** utility writes the absolute pathname of the current working directory to the standard output.

Some shells may provide a builtin **pwd** command which is similar or identical to this utility. Consult the [builtin(1)](/builtin/1.md) manual page.

The options are as follows:

- **-L**

  Display the logical current working directory.

- **-P**

  Display the physical current working directory (all symbolic links resolved).

If no options are specified, the **-L** option is assumed.

## ENVIRONMENT

Environment variables used by **pwd**:

- PWD

  Logical current working directory.

## EXIT STATUS

The **pwd** utility exits 0 on success, and \>0 if an error occurs.

## EXAMPLES

Show current working directory with symbolic links resolved:

```
$ /bin/pwd
/usr/src/sys/kern
```

Show the logical current directory. Then use [file(1)](/file/1.md) to inspect the */sys* directory:

```
$ /bin/pwd -L
/sys/kern
$ file /sys
/sys: symbolic link to usr/src/sys
```

## SEE ALSO

[builtin(1)](/builtin/1.md), [cd(1)](/cd/1.md), [csh(1)](/csh/1.md), [realpath(1)](/realpath/1.md), [sh(1)](/sh/1.md), [getcwd(3)](/getcwd/3.md)

## STANDARDS

The **pwd** utility conforms to IEEE Std 1003.1-2001 (“POSIX.1”).

## HISTORY

The **pwd** command appeared in Version 5 AT&T UNIX.

## BUGS

In [csh(1)](/csh/1.md) the command **dirs** is always faster because it is built into that shell. However, it can give a different answer in the rare case that the current directory or a containing directory was moved after the shell descended into it.

The **-L** option does not work unless the PWD environment variable is exported by the shell.