cut

Additional Notes

cut extracts parts of each input line. It is useful for simple column or delimiter-based text extraction.

For more complex field logic, use awk.

Syntax

cut [options] [file...]

Parameters

• options: Flags that change how cut behaves.
• file: Text file to read or process.

Common Options

• -d CHAR: Set field delimiter.
• -f LIST: Select fields.
• -c LIST: Select character positions.
• -b LIST: Select byte positions.
• --complement: Select everything except the chosen fields or characters.
• -s: With -f, do not print lines without the delimiter.

Field Lists

• 1: Field 1.
• 1,3: Fields 1 and 3.
• 1-3: Fields 1 through 3.
• 2-: Field 2 through the end.
• -4: Beginning through field 4.

Examples

cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwd

Print usernames from /etc/passwd.

cut -d, -f1,3 data.csv

Print fields 1 and 3 from comma-separated data.

cut -c1-10 file.txt

Print the first 10 characters of each line.

echo "a:b:c" | cut -d: -f2

Print the second colon-separated field.

cut -d: -f1 --complement /etc/passwd

Print all fields except the first.

Practical Notes

• cut works best with simple, consistent delimiters.
• The default field delimiter is a tab, not any whitespace.
• For repeated spaces or complex conditions, use awk.
• For real CSV with quoted commas, use a proper CSV parser.