lp

Updated

July 31, 2026

Overview

lp submits print jobs to CUPS. Companion tools: lpstat, lpq, lprm, cancel.

Syntax

lp [options] [file...]
lpstat [options]

Common Options (`lp`)

Option	Description
`-d printer`	Destination queue
`-n N`	Copies
`-o media=A4`	Driver options
`-o sides=two-sided-long-edge`	Duplex
`-t title`	Job title
`-P pages`	Page ranges
`-q priority`	1–100

Examples with Explanations

Print

lp document.pdf
lp -d Office_Laser report.pdf
lp -n 2 -o sides=two-sided-long-edge slides.pdf
echo 'hello' | lp -t test

Queues and jobs

lpstat -p -d          # printers + default
lpstat -o              # outstanding jobs
lpq -P Office_Laser    # BSD-style queue
cancel job-id
lprm                   # remove your jobs (BSD style)

Discover printers

lpstat -a
lpinfo -v              # backends (admin)

Notes

Default printer: lpoptions -d name or lpstat -d.
Many desktops also use GTK/Qt print dialogs.
Server config: cupsd, http://localhost:631.