printenv Command
Beginner Shell Scripting man(1)Print all or specific environment variables
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📅 Updated: Apr 30, 2026
SYNTAX
printenv [VARIABLE]...
What Does printenv Do?
printenv prints the values of environment variables. Without arguments, it prints all environment variables. With a variable name as argument, it prints just that variable\'s value.
printenv is simpler than env for displaying variables. It is useful in scripts for checking if a variable is set and getting its value. Unlike echo $VAR, printenv returns a non-zero exit code if the variable is not set.
printenv only shows environment variables (exported), not local shell variables. Use set or declare to see all shell variables.
printenv is simpler than env for displaying variables. It is useful in scripts for checking if a variable is set and getting its value. Unlike echo $VAR, printenv returns a non-zero exit code if the variable is not set.
printenv only shows environment variables (exported), not local shell variables. Use set or declare to see all shell variables.
Options & Flags
| Option | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| VARNAME | Print value of specific variable | printenv HOME |
| (no args) | Print all environment variables | printenv |
| -0 | End each line with NUL instead of newline | printenv -0 |
| multiple | Print multiple specific variables | printenv HOME PATH USER |
Practical Examples
#1 Print specific variable
Shows the value of HOME.
$ printenv HOME
Output:
/home/user
#2 Print all variables
Lists all environment variables sorted alphabetically.
$ printenv | sort#3 Check if variable exists
Uses exit code to check if a variable is defined.
$ printenv API_KEY > /dev/null 2>&1 && echo "Set" || echo "Not set"#4 Print multiple variables
Displays the values of HOME, USER, and SHELL.
$ printenv HOME USER SHELL
Output:
/home/user
user
/bin/bash
#5 Search for variables
Finds all proxy-related environment variables.
$ printenv | grep -i proxy#6 Use in script
Gets DB_HOST or falls back to localhost if not set.
$ DB_HOST=$(printenv DB_HOST || echo "localhost")Tips & Best Practices
Check variable existence: printenv VARNAME returns exit code 0 if set, 1 if not. More reliable than testing echo $VAR which shows empty string for unset vars.
printenv vs echo $VAR: printenv VAR shows only exported variables. echo $VAR shows both local and exported. printenv has useful exit codes.
Only environment variables: printenv shows only exported environment variables, not local shell variables. Use set or declare to see all variables.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if an environment variable is set?
Use printenv VARNAME. It returns exit code 0 if set, 1 if not. Or: printenv VARNAME && echo "set" || echo "not set".
What is the difference between printenv and env?
Both show environment variables. printenv can show a single variable easily. env can also run commands with modified environments.
Why does printenv not show my variable?
printenv only shows exported variables. If you set a variable without export, it is a local shell variable and not visible to printenv.
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