TIME(1) | General Commands Manual | TIME(1)

# NAME

`time` — time command execution

# SYNOPSIS

`time` | [`-lp`] utility [argument ...]

# DESCRIPTION

`time` executes and times utility. After the utility finishes, `time` writes the total time elapsed, the time consumed by system overhead, and the time used to execute utility to the standard error stream. Times are reported in seconds.

The options are as follows:

`-l`
  The contents of the rusage structure are printed.
`-p`
  The output is formatted as specified by IEEE Std 1003.2-1992 (“POSIX.2”).

# FILES

/usr/include/sys/resource.h

# EXIT STATUS

The `time` utility exits with one of the following values:

1-125
  An error occurred in the `time` utility.
126
  The utility was found but could not be invoked.
127
  The utility could not be found.

Otherwise, the exit status of `time` shall be that of utility.

# SEE ALSO

csh(1), ksh(1), getrusage(2)

# STANDARDS

The `time` utility is compliant with the IEEE Std 1003.1-2008 (“POSIX.1”) specification.

The flag [`-l`] is an extension to that specification.

`time` also exists as a built-in to csh(1) and ksh(1), though with a different syntax.

# HISTORY

A `time` command appeared in Version 3 AT&T UNIX.

December 22, 2022 | Debian