---
name: "realpath"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "coreutils"
version: "9.12-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/realpath"
---

# realpath(1)

print the resolved path

## NAME

realpath - print the resolved path

## SYNOPSIS

**realpath** \[*OPTION*\]... *FILE*...

## DESCRIPTION

Print the resolved absolute file name.

- **-E, --canonicalize**

  all but the last component must exist (default)

- **-e, --canonicalize-existing**

  all components of the path must exist

- **-m, --canonicalize-missing**

  no path components need exist or be a directory

- **-L, --logical**

  resolve '..' components before symlinks

- **-P, --physical**

  resolve symlinks as encountered (default)

- **-q, --quiet**

  suppress most error messages

- **--relative-to=DIR**

  print the resolved path relative to DIR

- **--relative-base=DIR**

  print absolute paths unless paths below DIR

- **-s, --strip, --no-symlinks**

  don't expand symlinks

- **-z, --zero**

  end each output line with NUL, not newline

- **--help**

  display this help and exit

- **--version**

  output version information and exit

## AUTHOR

Written by Padraig Brady.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to: \<bug-coreutils@gnu.org\>.\
 Report any translation bugs to: \<https://translationproject.org/team/\>.\
 GNU coreutils home page: \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/\>\
 General help using GNU software: \<https://www.gnu.org/gethelp/\>

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2026 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later \<https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html\>.\
 This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

## SEE ALSO

[**readlink**(1)](/readlink/1.md), [**readlink**(2)](/readlink/2.md), [**realpath**(3)](/realpath/3.md)

Full documentation \<https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/realpath\>\
 or available locally via: info '(coreutils) realpath invocation'