---
c: Copyright (C) Daniel Stenberg, <daniel@haxx.se>, et al.
SPDX-License-Identifier: curl
Title: curl_easy_cleanup
Section: 3
Source: libcurl
See-also:
  - curl_easy_duphandle (3)
  - curl_easy_init (3)
  - curl_easy_reset (3)
  - curl_multi_cleanup (3)
  - curl_multi_remove_handle (3)
Protocol:
  - All
Added-in: 7.1
---

# NAME

curl_easy_cleanup - free an easy handle

# SYNOPSIS

~~~c
#include <curl/curl.h>

void curl_easy_cleanup(CURL *handle);
~~~

# DESCRIPTION

This function is the opposite of curl_easy_init(3). It closes down and frees
all resources previously associated with this easy handle.

This call closes all connections this handle has used and possibly has kept
open until now unless the easy handle was attached to a multi handle while
doing the transfers. Do not call this function if you intend to transfer more
files, reusing handles is a key to good performance with libcurl.

Occasionally you may get your progress callback or header callback called from
within curl_easy_cleanup(3) (if previously set for the handle using
curl_easy_setopt(3)). Like if libcurl decides to shut down the connection and
the protocol is of a kind that requires a command/response sequence before
disconnect. Examples of such protocols are FTP, POP3 and IMAP.

Any use of the easy **handle** after this function has been called and have
returned, is illegal.

To close an easy handle that has been used with the multi interface, make sure
to first call curl_multi_remove_handle(3) to remove it from the multi handle
before it is closed.

Passing in a NULL pointer in *handle* makes this function return immediately
with no action.

# %PROTOCOLS%

# EXAMPLE

~~~c
int main(void)
{
  CURL *curl = curl_easy_init();
  if(curl) {
    CURLcode res;
    curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_URL, "https://example.com");
    res = curl_easy_perform(curl);
    if(res)
      printf("error: %s\n", curl_easy_strerror(res));
    curl_easy_cleanup(curl);
  }
}
~~~

# %AVAILABILITY%

# RETURN VALUE

None