`cat` command

Print files, join them together, or create small files.

Text processing
Package coreutils
5 options · 6 examples

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Syntax
Common options
Examples
Tips
Guides
Related commands

Syntax

cat [options] [file…]

Provided by the coreutils package. Run man cat for the full manual.

Common options

Option	What it does
`-n`	Number all lines
`-b`	Number non-empty lines
`-s`	Squeeze repeated blank lines
`-A`	Show tabs, line ends and other invisible characters
`-E`	Show $ at the end of each line

Examples

Print a file
```
cat /etc/os-release
```
Print with line numbers
```
cat -n script.sh
```
Join files into one
```
cat part1.txt part2.txt > full.txt
```
Append a file to another
```
cat extra.txt >> main.txt
```
Create a file from the keyboard (Ctrl+D to finish)
```
cat > notes.txt
```
Show hidden characters
```
cat -A file.txt
```

Tips

For long files use less; for the start or end use head or tail.

cat guides

11 Practical Example of cat Command in Linux Linux Commands · Updated Apr 2025

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