---
name: "tty"
section: "1"
platform: "macos"
package: "adv_cmds"
version: "237"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/tty"
---

# tty(1)

return user's terminal name

## NAME

**tty** – return user's terminal name

## SYNOPSIS

**tty** \[**-s**\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **tty** utility writes the name of the terminal attached to standard input to standard output. The name that is written is the string returned by [ttyname(3)](/ttyname/3.md). If the standard input is not a terminal, the message “not a tty” is written. The options are as follows:

- **-s**

  Do not write the terminal name; only the exit status is affected when this option is specified. The **-s** option is deprecated in favor of the “test -t 0” command.

## EXIT STATUS

The **tty** utility exits 0 if the standard input is a terminal, 1 if the standard input is not a terminal, and \>1 if an error occurs.

## SEE ALSO

[test(1)](/test/1.md), [ttyname(3)](/ttyname/3.md)

## STANDARDS

The **tty** utility is expected to be IEEE Std 1003.2 (“POSIX.2”) compatible.

## HISTORY

A **tty** command appeared in Version 1 AT&T UNIX.