Linux pwd Command
What pwd reports, the difference between the logical and physical path when symlinks are involved, and how to use it inside scripts.
Formula
pwd [-L | -P]
How to use it
- The synopsis at the top shows the general form of the command.
- Click any example to copy it straight to your clipboard.
- The options table lists only the flags worth remembering — run man for the exhaustive list.
Examples
| pwd | print the current directory |
| pwd -P | print it with all symlinks resolved |
| echo "Working in $(pwd)" | use it inside a script |
Questions people ask
Why do pwd and pwd -P give different answers?
You reached the directory through a symlink. The default shows the path you took; -P shows where it really is on disk.
Is $PWD the same as pwd?
Nearly. $PWD is a shell variable holding the logical path, so it avoids spawning a process. pwd -P is the only way to force resolution.
Does this page work offline?
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Last updated 22 August 2026