---
name: "sprintf"
section: "9"
platform: "linux"
package: "linux-manual-4.9"
version: "4.9.228-1"
release: "Debian 9 (Stretch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/sprintf/9"
---

# sprintf(9)

Format a string and place it in a buffer

## NAME

sprintf - Format a string and place it in a buffer

## SYNOPSIS

**int sprintf(char \*** *buf***, const char \*** *fmt***,** *...***);**

## ARGUMENTS

*buf*

The buffer to place the result into

*fmt*

The format string to use

*...*

Arguments for the format string

## DESCRIPTION

The function returns the number of characters written into *buf*. Use **snprintf** or **scnprintf** in order to avoid buffer overflows.

See the **vsnprintf** documentation for format string extensions over C99.

## COPYRIGHT