---
name: "telnet"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "inetutils"
version: "2.8-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/telnet"
---

# telnet(1)

User interface to TELNET

## NAME

telnet - User interface to TELNET

## SYNOPSIS

**telnet** \[*OPTION*...\] \[*HOST* \[*PORT*\]\]

## DESCRIPTION

Login to remote system HOST (optionally, on service port PORT)

-

  General options:

- **-4**, **--ipv4**

  use only IPv4

- **-6**, **--ipv6**

  use only IPv6

- **-8**, **--binary**

  use an 8-bit data transmission

- **-a**, **--login**

  attempt automatic login

- **-b**, **--bind**=*ADDRESS*

  bind to specific local ADDRESS

- **-c**, **--no-rc**

  do not read the user's .telnetrc file

- **-d**, **--debug**

  turn on debugging

- **-e**, **--escape**=*CHAR*

  use CHAR as an escape character

- **-E**, **--no-escape**

  use no escape character

- **-K**, **--no-login**

  do not automatically login to the remote system

- **-l**, **--user**=*USER*

  attempt automatic login as USER

- **-L**, **--binary-output**

  use an 8-bit data transmission for output only

- **-n**, **--trace**=*FILE*

  record trace information into FILE

- **-r**, **--rlogin**

  use a user-interface similar to rlogin

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

  give this help list

- **--usage**

  give a short usage message

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

  print program version

Mandatory or optional arguments to long options are also mandatory or optional for any corresponding short options.

## AUTHOR

Written by many authors.

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs to \<bug-inetutils@gnu.org\>.

## 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

telnetd(1)

The full documentation for **telnet** is maintained as a Texinfo manual.  If the **info** and **telnet** programs are properly installed at your site, the command

-

  **info telnet**

should give you access to the complete manual.