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lsof — List open files and the corresponding processes. Note: Root privileges are required to list files op

Submitted by: @import:tldr-pages·Mar 2, 2026·

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Problem

How to use the lsof command: List open files and the corresponding processes. Note: Root privileges are required to list files opened by others. More information: <https://manned.org/lsof>.

Solution

lsof — List open files and the corresponding processes. Note: Root privileges are required to list files opened by others. More information: <https://manned.org/lsof>.

Find the processes that have a given file open:

lsof {{path/to/file}}

Find the process that opened a local internet port:

lsof -i :{{port}}

Only output the process ID (PID):

lsof -t {{path/to/file}}

List files opened by the given user:

lsof -u {{username}}

List files opened by the given command or process:

lsof -c {{process_or_command_name}}

List files opened by a specific process, given its PID:

lsof -p {{PID}}

List open files in a directory:

lsof +D {{path/to/directory}}

Find the process that is listening on a local IPv6 TCP port and don't convert network or port numbers:

lsof -i6TCP:{{port}} -sTCP:LISTEN -n -P

Code Snippets

Find the processes that have a given file open

lsof {{path/to/file}}

Find the process that opened a local internet port

lsof -i :{{port}}

Only output the process ID (PID)

lsof -t {{path/to/file}}

List files opened by the given user

lsof -u {{username}}

List files opened by the given command or process

lsof -c {{process_or_command_name}}

Context

tldr-pages: common/lsof

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