vkDestroySurfaceKHR(3)

# vkDestroySurfaceKHR(3) Manual Page

## Name

vkDestroySurfaceKHR - Destroy a VkSurfaceKHR object

## C Specification

To destroy a `VkSurfaceKHR` object, call:

    // Provided by VK_KHR_surface
    void vkDestroySurfaceKHR(
        VkInstance                                  instance,
        VkSurfaceKHR                                surface,
        const VkAllocationCallbacks*                pAllocator);

## Parameters

- `instance` is the instance used to create the surface.

- `surface` is the surface to destroy.

- `pAllocator` is the allocator used for host memory allocated for the surface object when there is no more specific allocator available (see Memory Allocation).

## Description

Destroying a `VkSurfaceKHR` merely severs the connection between Vulkan and the native surface, and does not imply destroying the native surface, closing a window, or similar behavior.

Valid Usage

- VUID-vkDestroySurfaceKHR-surface-01266
  All `VkSwapchainKHR` objects created for `surface` must have been destroyed prior to destroying `surface`

- VUID-vkDestroySurfaceKHR-surface-01267
  If `VkAllocationCallbacks` were provided when `surface` was created, a compatible set of callbacks must be provided here

- VUID-vkDestroySurfaceKHR-surface-01268
  If no `VkAllocationCallbacks` were provided when `surface` was created, `pAllocator` must be `NULL`

Valid Usage (Implicit)

- VUID-vkDestroySurfaceKHR-instance-parameter
  `instance` must be a valid VkInstance handle

- VUID-vkDestroySurfaceKHR-surface-parameter
  If `surface` is not VK_NULL_HANDLE, `surface` must be a valid VkSurfaceKHR handle

- VUID-vkDestroySurfaceKHR-pAllocator-parameter
  If `pAllocator` is not `NULL`, `pAllocator` must be a valid pointer to a valid VkAllocationCallbacks structure

- VUID-vkDestroySurfaceKHR-surface-parent
  If `surface` is a valid handle, it must have been created, allocated, or retrieved from `instance`

Host Synchronization

- Host access to `surface` must be externally synchronized

## See Also

VK_KHR_surface, VkAllocationCallbacks, VkInstance, VkSurfaceKHR

## Document Notes

For more information, see the Vulkan Specification.

This page is extracted from the Vulkan Specification. Fixes and changes should be made to the Specification, not directly.

## Copyright

Copyright 2014-2026 The Khronos Group Inc.

SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-4.0