less

View file contents one screen at a time.

Last updated: 2026-07-05 Report error

Syntax

$less [OPTIONS] [FILE]

Examples

$less file.txt

Examples

$less +G file.txt

Shortcuts

Arrow keys: navigate

/: Search

q: Quit

Typical use cases

View file

less file.txt

Open at end

less +G file.txt

Follow log

less +F /var/log/syslog

Note Supports backward scrolling. Press q to quit, / to search, G to jump to end.

Export