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# minimumLinearTextureAlignment(for:)

Returns the minimum alignment the GPU device requires to create a linear texture from a buffer.

```
func minimumLinearTextureAlignment(for format: MTLPixelFormat) -> Int
```

## Parameters

`format`

An [`MTLPixelFormat`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPixelFormat) instance that can’t be any of the depth, stencil, or compressed pixel formats.

## Discussion

Metal aligns linear textures to their minimum alignment value, which directly affects the [`makeTexture(descriptor:offset:bytesPerRow:)`](/documentation/Metal/MTLBuffer/makeTexture(descriptor:offset:bytesPerRow:)) method’s `offset` and `bytesPerRow` parameters.

---

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