# info > GETCONF

---
type: CommandReference
command: getconf
mode: man
section: 1
source: man-pages
---

## Quick Reference
- `getconf -a` — Display all configuration variables
- `getconf system_var` — Display value of a system variable from sysconf or confstr
- `getconf path_var pathname` — Display value of a path variable from pathconf
- `getconf -v specification system_var` — Display variable for a specific POSIX specification

## Name
getconf — Query system configuration variables

## Synopsis
getconf -a
getconf [-v specification] system_var
getconf [-v specification] path_var pathname
## Options
- `-a` — Display all configuration variables for the current system and their values.
- `-v specification` — Indicate the specification and version for which to obtain configuration variables.
- `system_var` — A system configuration variable, as defined by [sysconf(3)](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/sysconf.3.html) or [confstr(3)](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/confstr.3.html).
- `path_var` — A system configuration variable as defined by [pathconf(3)](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/pathconf.3.html). This must be used with a pathname.

## Examples
shell
getconf -a
getconf PATH_MAX /
getconf _POSIX_VERSION
getconf -v POSIX2001 LINK_MAX /tmp
## See Also
- [sysconf(3)](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/sysconf.3.html)
- [pathconf(3)](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/pathconf.3.html)
- [confstr(3)](https://man7.org/linux/man-pages/man3/confstr.3.html)