---
title: "pwd command"
description: "The pwd command allows the user to view their current location in the directory structure. Command: pwd Synopsis: pwd [OPTION]... Options: These are the few options available for the pwd command...."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/server/linux/pwd-command/
date: 2014-06-03
modified: 2014-06-03
author: "Scott Mitchell"
categories: ["Linux"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# pwd command

The **pwd** command allows the user to view their current location in the directory structure.

**Command: **pwd
**Synopsis: **pwd ...

**Options: **
These are the few options available for the **pwd** command.

| Option | Long Name | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| -L | --logical | use PWD from environment, even if it contains symlinks |
| -P | --physical | avoid all symlinks |

If both -L and -P are entered (**pwd -LP** or **pwd -PL**), the last one will be used. If neither option is used, the *-L* option will be assumed by default.

## Examples

### Using the base command

Using the **pwd** command will result in displaying the path where the user is located. $# pwd /home/userna5/public_html

### Using the logical option

Using the logical option will display the path including symlinks. For the example below we are in a folder named '*www*', the *www* folder is actually a symlink to the *public_html* folder. The result displays the *www* folder in the path as if it were an actual folder. $# pwd -L /home/userna5/www

### Using the physical option

Using the physical option will display the path not including any symlinks. As in the above example, we are in the *www* folder. However, since it is a symlink to the *public_html* folder, it displays the actual physical folder it is in instead, which is *public_html*. $# pwd -P /home/userna5/public_html