Variable Arguments () = optional Explanation
addr interface IP address for an interface
acpiacadapter ACPI ac adapter state.
acpifan ACPI fan state
acpitemp ACPI temperature in C.
acpitempf ACPI temperature in F.
adt746xcpu CPU temperature from therm_adt746x
adt746xfan Fan speed from therm_adt746x
alignr (num) Right-justify text, with space of N
alignc (num) Align text to centre
apm_adapter Display APM AC adapter status (FreeBSD only)
apm_battery_life Display APM battery life in percent (FreeBSD only)
apm_battery_time Display remaining APM battery life in hh:mm:ss or "unknown" if AC adapterstatus is on-line or charging (FreeBSD only)
audacious_bar (height),(width) Progress bar
audacious_bitrate Bitrate of current tune
audacious_channels Number of audio channels of current tune
audacious_filename Full path and filename of current tune
audacious_frequency Sampling frequency of current tune
audacious_length Total length of current tune as MM:SS
audacious_length_seconds Total length of current tune in seconds
audacious_playlist_position Playlist position of current tune
audacious_playlist_length Number of tunes in playlist
audacious_position Position of current tune (MM:SS)
audacious_position_seconds Position of current tune in seconds
audacious_status Player status (Playing/Paused/Stopped/Not running)
audacious_title (max length) Title of current tune with optional maximum length specifier
battery (num) Battery status and remaining percentage capacity of ACPI or APM battery. ACPI battery number can be given as argument (default is BAT0).
battery_bar (height),(width) (num) Battery percentage remaining of ACPI battery in a bar. ACPI battery number can be given as argument (default is BAT0).
battery_percent (num) Battery percentage remaining for ACPI battery. ACPI battery number can be given as argument (default is BAT0).
battery_time (num) Battery charge/discharge time remaining of ACPI battery. ACPI battery number can be given as argument (default is BAT0).
bmpx_artist Artist in current BMPx track
bmpx_album Album in current BMPx track
bmpx_title Title of the current BMPx track
bmpx_track Track number of the current BMPx track
bmpx_bitrate Bitrate of the current BMPx track
bmpx_uri URI of the current BMPx track
buffers Amount of memory buffered
cached Amount of memory cached
color (color) Change drawing color to color
color0 Change drawing color to color0 configuration option
color1 Change drawing color to color1 configuration option
color2 Change drawing color to color2 configuration option
color3 Change drawing color to color3 configuration option
color4 Change drawing color to color4 configuration option
color5 Change drawing color to color5 configuration option
color6 Change drawing color to color6 configuration option
color7 Change drawing color to color7 configuration option
color8 Change drawing color to color8 configuration option
color9 Change drawing color to color9 configuration option
cpu (cpuN) CPU usage in percents. For SMP machines, the CPU number can be provided as an argument. ${cpu cpu0} is the total usage, and ${cpu cpuX} (X >= 1) are individual CPUs.
cpubar (cpu number) (height),(width) Bar that shows CPU usage, height is bar's height in pixels. See $cpu for more info on SMP.
cpugraph (cpu number) (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) CPU usage graph, with optional colours in hex, minus the #. See $cpu for more info on SMP.
diskio Displays current disk IO.
diskiograph (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) Disk IO graph, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the scale for the graph.
diskio_read Displays current disk IO for reads.
diskio_readgraph (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) Disk IO graph for reads, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the scale for the graph.
diskio_write Displays current disk IO for writes.
diskio_writegraph (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) Disk IO graph for writes, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the scale for the graph.
downspeed net Download speed in kilobytes
downspeedf net Download speed in kilobytes with one decimal
downspeedgraph net (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) Download speed graph, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the scale for the graph.
else Text to show if any of the above are not true
entropy_avail Current entropy available for crypto freaks
entropy_bar (height),(width) Normalized bar of available entropy for crypto freaks
entropy_poolsize Total size of system entropy pool for crypto freaks
exec command Executes a shell command and displays the output in conky. warning: this takes a lot more resources than other variables. I'd recommend coding wanted behaviour in C and posting a patch.
execbar command Same as exec, except if the first value return is a value between 0-100, it will use that number for a bar. The size for the bar is currently fixed, but that may change in the future.
execgraph command Same as execbar, but graphs values.
execi interval command Same as exec but with specific interval. Interval can't be less than update_interval in configuration. See also $texeci
execibar interval command Same as execbar, except with an interval
execigraph interval command Same as execigraph, but takes an interval arg graphs values
font (font) Specify a different font. This new font will apply to the current line and everything following. You can use a $font with no arguments to change back to the default font (much like with $color)
freq (n) Returns CPU #n's frequency in MHz. CPUs are counted from 1. If omitted, the parameter defaults to 1.
freq_g (n) Returns CPU #n's frequency in GHz. CPUs are counted from 1. If omitted, the parameter defaults to 1.
freq_dyn Returns CPU frequency in MHz, but is calculated by counting to clock cycles to complete an instruction. Only available for x86/amd64.
freq_dyn_g Returns CPU frequency in GHz, but is calculated by counting to clock cycles to complete an instruction. Only available for x86/amd64.
fs_bar (height),(width) fs Bar that shows how much space is used on a file system. height is the height in pixels. fs is any file on that file system.
fs_free (fs) Free space on a file system available for users.
fs_free_perc (fs) Free percentage of space on a file system available for users.
fs_size (fs) File system size
fs_used (fs) File system used space
goto x The next element will be printed at position 'x'.
hddtemp dev, (host,(port)) Displays temperature of a selected hard disk drive as reported by the hddtemp daemon running on host:port. Default host is 127.0.0.1, default port is 7634.
head logfile lines (interval) Displays first N lines of supplied text text file. If interval is not supplied, Conky assumes 2x Conky's interval. Max of 30 lines can be displayed, or until the text buffer is filled.
hr (height) Horizontal line, height is the height in pixels
hwmon (dev) type n Hwmon sensor from sysfs (Linux 2.6). Parameter dev may be omitted if you have only one hwmon device. Parameter type is either 'in' or 'vol' meaning voltage; 'fan' meaning fan; 'temp' (Celsius) or 'tempf' (Fahrenheit) meaning temperature. Parameter n is number of the sensor. See /sys/class/hwmon/ on your local computer.
iconv_start codeset_from codeset_to Convert text from one codeset to another using GNU iconv. Needs to be stopped with iconv_stop.
iconv_stop Stop iconv codeset conversion.
i2c (dev) type n I2C sensor from sysfs (Linux 2.6). Parameter dev may be omitted if you have only one I2C device. Parameter type is either 'in' or 'vol' meaning voltage; 'fan' meaning fan; 'temp' (Celsius) or 'tempf' (Fahrenheit) meaning temperature. Parameter n is number of the sensor. See /sys/bus/i2c/devices/ on your local computer.
i8k_ac_status If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays whether ac power is on, as listed in /proc/i8k (translated to human-readable). Beware that this is by default not enabled by i8k itself.
i8k_bios If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the bios version as listed in /proc/i8k.
i8k_buttons_status If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the volume buttons status as listed in /proc/i8k.
i8k_cpu_temp If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the cpu temperature in Celsius, as reported by /proc/i8k.
i8k_cpu_tempf If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the cpu temperature in Fahrenheit, as reported by /proc/i8k.
i8k_left_fan_rpm If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the left fan's rate of rotation, in revolutions per minute as listed in /proc/i8k. Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in reverse order.
i8k_left_fan_status If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the left fan status as listed in /proc/i8k (translated to human-readable). Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in reverse order.
i8k_right_fan_rpm If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the right fan's rate of rotation, in revolutions per minute as listed in /proc/i8k. Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in reverse order.
i8k_right_fan_status If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the right fan status as listed in /proc/i8k (translated to human-readable). Beware, some laptops i8k reports these fans in reverse order.
i8k_serial If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays your laptop serial number as listed in /proc/i8k.
i8k_version If running the i8k kernel driver for Inspiron laptops, displays the version formatting of /proc/i8k.
ibm_fan If running the IBM ACPI, displays the fan speed.
ibm_temps N If running the IBM ACPI, displays the temperatures from the IBM temperature sensors (N=0..7) Sensor 0 is on the CPU, 3 is on the GPU.
ibm_volume If running the IBM ACPI, displays the "master" volume, controlled by the volume keys (0-14).
ibm_brightness If running the IBM ACPI, displays the brigtness of the laptops's LCD (0-7).
if_empty (var) if conky variable VAR is empty, display everything between $if_empty and the matching $endif
if_running (process) if PROCESS is running, display everything $if_running and the matching $endif
if_existing file (string) if FILE exists, display everything between if_existing and the matching $endif. The optional second paramater checks for FILE containing the specified string and prints everything between $if_existing and the matching $endif.
if_mounted (mountpoint) if MOUNTPOINT is mounted, display everything between $if_mounted and the matching $endif
imap_messages (args) Displays the number of messages in your global IMAP inbox by default. You can define individual IMAP inboxes seperately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are: "host user pass [-i interval] [-p port] [-e command]". Default port is 143, default interval is 5 minutes. If the password is supplied as '*', you will be prompted to enter the password when Conky starts.
imap_unseen (args) Displays the number of unseen messages in your global IMAP inbox by default. You can define individual IMAP inboxes seperately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are: "host user pass [-i interval] [-p port] [-e command]". Default port is 143, default interval is 5 minutes. If the password is supplied as '*', you will be prompted to enter the password when Conky starts.
kernel Kernel version
loadavg (1,2,3)> System load average, 1 is for past 1 minute, 2 for past 5 minutes and 3 for past 15 minutes.
machine Machine, i686 for example
mails Mail count in mail spool. You can use program like fetchmail to get mails from some server using your favourite protocol. See also new_mails.
mboxscan (-n number of messages to print) (-fw from width) (-sw subject width) mbox Print a summary of recent messages in an mbox format mailbox. mbox parameter is the filename of the mailbox (can be encapsulated using '"', ie. ${mboxscan -n 10 "/home/brenden/some box"}
mem Amount of memory in use
membar (height),(width) Bar that shows amount of memory in use
memmax Total amount of memory
memperc Percentage of memory in use
mpd_artist Artist in current MPD song must be enabled at compile
mpd_album Album in current MPD song
mpd_bar (height),(width) Bar of mpd's progress
mpd_bitrate Bitrate of current song
mpd_status Playing, stopped, et cetera.
mpd_title (max length) Title of current MPD song
mpd_vol MPD's volume
mpd_elapsed Song's elapsed time
mpd_length Song's length
mpd_percent Percent of song's progress
mpd_random Random status (On/Off)
mpd_repeat Repeat status (On/Off)
mpd_track Prints the MPD track field
mpd_name Prints the MPD name field
mpd_file Prints the file name of the current MPD song
mpd_smart Prints the song name in either the form "artist - title" or file name, depending on whats available
new_mails Unread mail count in mail spool.
nodename Hostname
outlinecolor (color) Change outline color
pb_battery item If running on Apple powerbook/ibook, display information on battery status. The item parameter specifies, what information to display. Exactly one item must be specified. Valid items are: status: Display if battery is fully charged, charging, discharging or absent (running on AC) percent: Display charge of battery in percent, if charging or discharging. Nothing will be displayed, if battery is fully charged or absent. time: Display the time remaining until the battery will be fully charged or discharged at current rate. Nothing is displayed, if battery is absent or if it's present but fully charged and not discharging.
platform (dev) type n Platform sensor from sysfs (Linux 2.6). Parameter dev may be omitted if you have only one platform device. Platform type is either 'in' or 'vol' meaning voltage; 'fan' meaning fan; 'temp' (Celsius) or 'tempf' (Fahrenheit) meaning temperature. Parameter n is number of the sensor. See /sys/bus/platform/devices/ on your local computer.
pop3_unseen (args) Displays the number of unseen messages in your global POP3 inbox by default. You can define individual POP3 inboxes seperately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are: "host user pass [-i interval] [-p port] [-e command]". Default port is 110, default interval is 5 minutes. If the password is supplied as '*', you will be prompted to enter the password when Conky starts.
pop3_used (args) Displays the amount of space (in MiB, 2^20) used in your global POP3 inbox by default. You can define individual POP3 inboxes seperately by passing arguments to this object. Arguments are: "host user pass [-i interval] [-p port] [-e command]". Default port is 110, default interval is 5 minutes. If the password is supplied as '*', you will be prompted to enter the password when Conky starts.
pre_exec shell command Executes a shell command one time before conky displays anything and puts output as text.
processes Total processes (sleeping and running)
running_processes Running processes (not sleeping), requires Linux 2.6
shadecolor (color) Change shading color
stippled_hr (space) Stippled (dashed) horizontal line
swapbar (height),(width) Bar that shows amount of swap in use
swap Amount of swap in use
swapmax Total amount of swap
swapperc Percentage of swap in use
sysname System name, Linux for example
tcp_portmon port_begin port_end item (index) TCP port monitor for specified local ports. Port numbers must be in the range 1 to 65535. Valid items are: count - total number of connections in the range rip - remote ip address rhost - remote host name rport - remote port number rservice - remote service name from /etc/services lip - local ip address lhost - local host name lport - local port number lservice - local service name from /etc/services The connection index provides you with access to each connection in the port monitor. The monitor will return information for index values from 0 to n-1 connections. Values higher than n-1 are simply ignored. For the "count" item, the connection index must be omitted. It is required for all other items. Examples: ${tcp_portmon 6881 6999 count} - displays the number of connections in the bittorrent port range ${tcp_portmon 22 22 rip 0} - displays the remote host ip of the first sshd connection ${tcp_portmon 22 22 rip 9} - displays the remote host ip of the tenth sshd connection ${tcp_portmon 1 1024 rhost 0} - displays the remote host name of the first connection on a privileged port ${tcp_portmon 1 1024 rport 4} - displays the remote host port of the fifth connection on a privileged port ${tcp_portmon 1 65535 lservice 14} - displays the local service name of the fifteenth connection in the range of all ports Note that port monitor variables which share the same port range actually refer to the same monitor, so many references to a single port range for different items and different indexes all use the same monitor internally. In other words, the program avoids creating redundant monitors.
texeci interval command Runs a command at an interval inside a thread and displays the output. Same as $execi, except the command is run inside a thread. Use this if you have a slow script to keep Conky updating. You should make the interval slightly longer then the time it takes your script to execute. For example, if you have a script that take 5 seconds to execute, you should make the interval at least 6 seconds. See also $execi.
offset (pixels) Move text over by N pixels. See also $voffset.
rss url delay_in_minutes action item_num Download and parse RSS feeds. Action may be one of the following: feed_title, item_title (with num par), item_desc (with num par) and item_titles.
tab (width, (start)) Puts a tab of the specified width, starting from column 'start'.
tail logfile lines (interval) Displays last N lines of supplied text text file. If interval is not supplied, Conky assumes 2x Conky's interval. Max of 30 lines can be displayed, or until the text buffer is filled.
time (format) Local time, see man strftime to get more information about format
utime (format) Display time in UTC (universal coordinate time).
tztime (timezone) (format) Local time for specified timezone, see man strftime to get more information about format. The timezone argument is specified in similar fashion as TZ environment variable. For hints, look in /usr/share/zoneinfo. e.g. US/Pacific, Europe/Zurich, etc.
totaldown net Total download, overflows at 4 GB on Linux with 32-bit arch and there doesn't seem to be a way to know how many times it has already done that before conky has started.
top type, num This takes arguments in the form:top (name) (number) Basically, processes are ranked from highest to lowest in terms of cpu usage, which is what (num) represents. The types are: "name", "pid", "cpu", and "mem". There can be a max of 10 processes listed.
top_mem type, num Same as top, except sorted by mem usage instead of cpu
totalup net Total upload, this one too, may overflow
updates Number of updates for debugging
upspeed net Upload speed in kilobytes
upspeedf net Upload speed in kilobytes with one decimal
upspeedgraph net (height),(width) (gradient colour 1) (gradient colour 2) (scale) Upload speed graph, colours defined in hex, minus the #. If scale is non-zero, it becomes the scale for the graph.
uptime Uptime
uptime_short Uptime in a shorter format
voffset (pixels) Change vertical offset by N pixels. Negative values will cause text to overlap. See also $offset.
voltage_mv (n) Returns CPU #n's voltage in mV. CPUs are counted from 1. If omitted, the parameter defaults to 1.
voltage_v (n) Returns CPU #n's voltage in V. CPUs are counted from 1. If omitted, the parameter defaults to 1.
wireless_essid net Wireless access point ESSID (Linux only)
wireless_mode net Wireless mode (Managed/Ad-Hoc/Master) (Linux only)
wireless_bitrate net Wireless bitrate (ie 11 Mb/s) (Linux only)
wireless_ap net Wireless access point MAC address (Linux only)
wireless_link_qual net Wireless link quality (Linux only)
wireless_link_qual_max net Wireless link quality maximum value (Linux only)
wireless_link_qual_perc net Wireless link quality in percents (Linux only)
wireless_link_bar (height), (width) net Wireless link quality bar (Linux only)
xmms2_artist Artist in current XMMS2 song
xmms2_album Album in current XMMS2 song
xmms2_title Title in current XMMS2 song
xmms2_genre Genre in current XMMS2 song
xmms2_comment Comment in current XMMS2 song
xmms2_decoder Decoder plugin used
xmms2_transport Transport plugin used
xmms2_url Full path to current song
xmms2_tracknr Track number in current XMMS2 song
xmms2_bitrate Bitrate of current song
xmms2_id XMMS2 id of current song
xmms2_duration Duration of current song
xmms2_elapsed Song's elapsed time
xmms2_size Size of current song
xmms2_percent Percent of song's progress
xmms2_status XMMS2 status (Playing, Paused, Stopped, or Disconnected)
xmms2_bar (height),(width) Bar of XMMS2's progress
xmms2_smart Prints the song name in either the form "artist - title" or file name, depending on whats available