Before running this
This is a reference for Bash; commands do not run on this page. Use the matching shell on your own computer. Read the example, expected result and notes before trying it. New to terminals? Start with the shell basics.
Syntax
UPPERCASE words are placeholders to replace. Brackets in the syntax line describe optional arguments; do not type those brackets literally.
printf FORMAT [ARGUMENTS...]Example
printf "%s\n" "hello world"Expected result
hello world followed by a newline.
Notes and traps
Keep the format string fixed. Put untrusted data in arguments, not in the format.
Related commands
Related tasks may need different flags and have different semantics. Check the entry before translating a command between shells.
Official reference ↗Updated 13 September 2026. Examples describe the expected behavior; not every platform is available for execution testing.