The Linux mv Command: Move and Rename

The Linux mv Command: Move and Rename

mv moves files and directories, or renames them. It's essentially a copy + delete operation.

Basic Usage

Move file

mv file.txt /new/path/

Rename

mv oldname.txt newname.txt

Move multiple

mv file1.txt file2.txt /dest/

Options

• -i — Interactive (prompt before overwrite)
• -n — No clobber (don't overwrite)
• -v — Verbose
• -u — Update (only if newer)
• -t — Move to target directory

Examples

Move and rename

mv -v oldfile newfile

Interactive move

mv -i file.txt /dest/

Further Reading

• mv Manual
• mv Command Builder