PTHREAD_KILL(3) | Library Functions Manual | PTHREAD_KILL(3)

# NAME

`pthread_kill` — send a signal to a specified thread

# SYNOPSIS

POSIX Threads Library (libpthread, -lpthread)
`#include <pthread.h>`
`#include <signal.h>`

int
`pthread_kill`(pthread_t thread, int sig);

# DESCRIPTION

The `pthread_kill`() function sends a signal, specified by sig, to a thread, specified by thread. If sig is 0, error checking is performed, but no signal is actually sent.

# RETURN VALUES

If successful, `pthread_kill`() returns 0. Otherwise, an error number is returned.

# ERRORS

`pthread_kill`() will fail if:

[`ESRCH`]
  thread is an invalid thread ID.
[`EINVAL`]
  sig is an invalid or unsupported signal number.

# SEE ALSO

kill(2), pthread_self(3), raise(3)

# STANDARDS

`pthread_kill`() conforms to ISO/IEC 9945-1:1996 (“POSIX.1”)

June 7, 2025 | Debian