diff --git a/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbol_table/main.c b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbol_table/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..939ce6c1beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbol_table/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+int static_var = 15;
+
+int main()
+{
+  int b = 5 + static_var;
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbol_table/test.desc b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbol_table/test.desc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d6cbfc8474b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbol_table/test.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+CORE
+main.c
+--list-symbol-table --filter-symbol-table static_lifetime,file_local
+main::1::b signed int
+return' signed int
+static_var signed int
+--
+main signed int ()
diff --git a/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbols/main.c b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbols/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..939ce6c1beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbols/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+int static_var = 15;
+
+int main()
+{
+  int b = 5 + static_var;
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbols/test.desc b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbols/test.desc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..5ac17ec5c3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/cbmc/filter_list_symbols/test.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+CORE
+main.c
+--list-symbols --filter-symbol-table static_lifetime
+static_var signed int
+--
+main signed int ()
+main::1::b signed int
+return' signed int
diff --git a/regression/cbmc/filter_show_symbol_table/main.c b/regression/cbmc/filter_show_symbol_table/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..939ce6c1beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/cbmc/filter_show_symbol_table/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+int static_var = 15;
+
+int main()
+{
+  int b = 5 + static_var;
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/regression/cbmc/filter_show_symbol_table/test.desc b/regression/cbmc/filter_show_symbol_table/test.desc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..df2a0bd6d8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/cbmc/filter_show_symbol_table/test.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+CORE
+main.c
+--show-symbol-table --filter-symbol-table static_lifetime
+Symbol......: static_var
+Pretty name.: static_var
+Module......: main
+Base name...: static_var
+Mode........: C
+Type........: signed int
+Value.......: 15
+Flags.......: lvalue static_lifetime
+Location....: file main.c line 1
+^EXIT=0$
+^SIGNAL=0$
+--
+Symbol......: main
+Symbol......: main::1::b
+Symbol......: return'
diff --git a/regression/goto-instrument/filter_list_symbol_table/main.c b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_list_symbol_table/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..939ce6c1beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_list_symbol_table/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+int static_var = 15;
+
+int main()
+{
+  int b = 5 + static_var;
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/regression/goto-instrument/filter_list_symbol_table/test.desc b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_list_symbol_table/test.desc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6976d322695
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_list_symbol_table/test.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+CORE
+main.c
+--list-symbol-table --filter-symbol-table static_lifetime
+static_var signed int
+--
+main signed int ()
+main::1::b signed int
+return' signed int
diff --git a/regression/goto-instrument/filter_show_symbol_table/main.c b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_show_symbol_table/main.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..939ce6c1beb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_show_symbol_table/main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+int static_var = 15;
+
+int main()
+{
+  int b = 5 + static_var;
+  return 0;
+}
diff --git a/regression/goto-instrument/filter_show_symbol_table/test.desc b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_show_symbol_table/test.desc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..df2a0bd6d8c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/regression/goto-instrument/filter_show_symbol_table/test.desc
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+CORE
+main.c
+--show-symbol-table --filter-symbol-table static_lifetime
+Symbol......: static_var
+Pretty name.: static_var
+Module......: main
+Base name...: static_var
+Mode........: C
+Type........: signed int
+Value.......: 15
+Flags.......: lvalue static_lifetime
+Location....: file main.c line 1
+^EXIT=0$
+^SIGNAL=0$
+--
+Symbol......: main
+Symbol......: main::1::b
+Symbol......: return'
diff --git a/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.cpp b/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.cpp
index f5074b6b543..31164f4ee18 100644
--- a/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.cpp
+++ b/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.cpp
@@ -588,10 +588,14 @@ int cbmc_parse_optionst::get_goto_program(
   {
     goto_model = initialize_goto_model(cmdline, ui_message_handler);
 
-    if(cmdline.isset("show-symbol-table"))
+    int commandline_check_return_value;
+    if(!check_commandline_for_show_symbol_flags(
+         commandline_check_return_value,
+         cmdline,
+         goto_model,
+         ui_message_handler.get_ui()))
     {
-      show_symbol_table(goto_model, ui_message_handler.get_ui());
-      return CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
+      return commandline_check_return_value;
     }
 
     if(cbmc_parse_optionst::process_goto_program(goto_model, options, log))
@@ -931,7 +935,7 @@ void cbmc_parse_optionst::help()
     "\n"
     "Program representations:\n"
     " --show-parse-tree            show parse tree\n"
-    " --show-symbol-table          show loaded symbol table\n"
+    HELP_SHOW_SYMBOL_TABLE
     HELP_SHOW_GOTO_FUNCTIONS
     " --drop-unused-functions      drop functions trivially unreachable from main function\n" // NOLINT(*)
     "\n"
diff --git a/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.h b/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.h
index 5c9cd1c4633..02748445fc4 100644
--- a/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.h
+++ b/src/cbmc/cbmc_parse_options.h
@@ -56,7 +56,8 @@ class optionst;
   "(little-endian)(big-endian)" \
   OPT_SHOW_GOTO_FUNCTIONS \
   OPT_SHOW_PROPERTIES \
-  "(show-symbol-table)(show-parse-tree)" \
+  OPT_SHOW_SYMBOL_TABLE \
+  "(show-parse-tree)" \
   "(drop-unused-functions)" \
   "(property):(stop-on-fail)(trace)" \
   "(error-label):(verbosity):(no-library)" \
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp b/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp
index 4582509df7d..ecba5821eda 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.cpp
@@ -462,10 +462,11 @@ int goto_instrument_parse_optionst::doit()
       return CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
-    if(cmdline.isset("show-symbol-table"))
+    int commandline_check_return_value;
+    if(!check_commandline_for_show_symbol_flags(
+         commandline_check_return_value, cmdline, goto_model, get_ui()))
     {
-      ::show_symbol_table(goto_model, get_ui());
-      return CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
+      return commandline_check_return_value;
     }
 
     if(cmdline.isset("show-reaching-definitions"))
@@ -517,12 +518,6 @@ int goto_instrument_parse_optionst::doit()
       return CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
     }
 
-    if(cmdline.isset("list-symbols"))
-    {
-      show_symbol_table_brief(goto_model, get_ui());
-      return CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
-    }
-
     if(cmdline.isset("show-uninitialized"))
     {
       show_uninitialized(goto_model, std::cout);
@@ -1527,8 +1522,7 @@ void goto_instrument_parse_optionst::help()
     "Diagnosis:\n"
     " --show-loops                 show the loops in the program\n"
     HELP_SHOW_PROPERTIES
-    " --show-symbol-table          show loaded symbol table\n"
-    " --list-symbols               list symbols with type information\n"
+    HELP_SHOW_SYMBOL_TABLE
     HELP_SHOW_GOTO_FUNCTIONS
     HELP_GOTO_PROGRAM_STATS
     " --drop-unused-functions      drop functions trivially unreachable from main function\n" // NOLINT(*)
diff --git a/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.h b/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.h
index 706083df63e..843d42359bc 100644
--- a/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.h
+++ b/src/goto-instrument/goto_instrument_parse_options.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ Author: Daniel Kroening, kroening@kroening.com
 #include <goto-programs/remove_const_function_pointers.h>
 #include <goto-programs/show_goto_functions.h>
 #include <goto-programs/show_properties.h>
+#include <goto-programs/show_symbol_table.h>
 
 #include <analyses/goto_check.h>
 
@@ -61,6 +62,7 @@ Author: Daniel Kroening, kroening@kroening.com
   "(function-enter):(function-exit):(branch):" \
   OPT_SHOW_GOTO_FUNCTIONS \
   OPT_SHOW_PROPERTIES \
+  OPT_SHOW_SYMBOL_TABLE \
   "(drop-unused-functions)" \
   "(show-value-sets)" \
   "(show-global-may-alias)" \
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@ Author: Daniel Kroening, kroening@kroening.com
   "(print-internal-representation)" \
   "(remove-function-pointers)" \
   "(show-claims)(property):" \
-  "(show-symbol-table)(show-points-to)(show-rw-set)" \
+  "(show-points-to)(show-rw-set)" \
   "(cav11)" \
   OPT_TIMESTAMP \
   "(show-natural-loops)(accelerate)(havoc-loops)" \
diff --git a/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.cpp b/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.cpp
index 771bc88da00..5b65715a57d 100644
--- a/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.cpp
+++ b/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.cpp
@@ -16,15 +16,170 @@ Author: Daniel Kroening, kroening@kroening.com
 
 #include <langapi/language.h>
 #include <langapi/mode.h>
+#include <util/cmdline.h>
+#include <util/exit_codes.h>
+#include <util/string_utils.h>
 
 #include "goto_model.h"
 
+symbol_table_filtert::symbol_table_filtert()
+  : filter_lvalue(false),
+    filter_static_lifetime(false),
+    filter_thread_local(false),
+    filter_file_local(false),
+    filter_type(false),
+    filter_extern(false),
+    filter_input(false),
+    filter_output(false),
+    filter_macro(false),
+    filter_parameter(false),
+    filter_auxilary(false),
+    filter_weak(false),
+    filter_property(false),
+    filter_state_var(false),
+    filter_exported(false),
+    filter_volatile(false),
+    default_pass(true)
+{
+}
+
+bool symbol_table_filtert::set_filter_flag(
+  const std::string &flag)
+{
+  if(flag == "lvalue")
+    filter_lvalue = true;
+  else if(flag == "static_lifetime")
+    filter_static_lifetime = true;
+  else if(flag == "thread_local")
+    filter_thread_local = true;
+  else if(flag == "file_local")
+    filter_file_local = true;
+  else if(flag == "type")
+    filter_type = true;
+  else if(flag == "extern")
+    filter_extern = true;
+  else if(flag == "input")
+    filter_input = true;
+  else if(flag == "output")
+    filter_output = true;
+  else if(flag == "macro")
+    filter_macro = true;
+  else if(flag == "parameter")
+    filter_parameter = true;
+  else if(flag == "auxiliary")
+    filter_auxilary = true;
+  else if(flag == "weak")
+    filter_weak = true;
+  else if(flag == "property")
+    filter_property = true;
+  else if(flag == "state_var")
+    filter_state_var = true;
+  else if(flag == "exported")
+    filter_exported = true;
+  else if(flag == "volatile")
+    filter_volatile = true;
+  else
+  {
+    std::cout << "Don't recognize the following flag: " + flag + "\n\n"
+              << "Only the following flags are valid:\n"
+              << "  lvalue, static_lifetime, thread_local, file_local,\n"
+              << "  type, extern, input, output, macro, parameter,\n"
+              << "  auxiliary, weak, property, state_var, exported, volatile\n";
+    return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+bool symbol_table_filtert::is_selected(const symbolt &symbol) const
+{
+  return default_pass ||
+         ((symbol.is_lvalue && filter_lvalue) ||
+          (symbol.is_static_lifetime && filter_static_lifetime) ||
+          (symbol.is_thread_local && filter_thread_local) ||
+          (symbol.is_file_local && filter_file_local) ||
+          (symbol.is_type && filter_type) ||
+          (symbol.is_extern && filter_extern) ||
+          (symbol.is_input && filter_input) ||
+          (symbol.is_output && filter_output) ||
+          (symbol.is_macro && filter_macro) ||
+          (symbol.is_parameter && filter_parameter) ||
+          (symbol.is_auxiliary && filter_auxilary) ||
+          (symbol.is_weak && filter_weak) ||
+          (symbol.is_property && filter_property) ||
+          (symbol.is_state_var && filter_state_var) ||
+          (symbol.is_exported && filter_exported) ||
+          (symbol.is_volatile && filter_volatile));
+}
+
+bool symbol_table_filtert::setup(const std::string &flags)
+{
+  default_pass = false;
+  std::vector<std::string> flags_splitted;
+  split_string(flags, ',', flags_splitted, true, true);
+  for(auto const &flag : flags_splitted)
+  {
+    if(set_filter_flag(flag))
+    {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+bool check_commandline_for_show_symbol_flags(
+  int &return_value,
+  const cmdlinet &cmdline,
+  const goto_modelt &goto_model,
+  ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
+{
+  if(cmdline.isset("show-symbol-table"))
+  {
+    if(cmdline.isset("filter-symbol-table"))
+    {
+      symbol_table_filtert filter;
+      if(filter.setup(cmdline.get_value("filter-symbol-table")))
+      {
+        return_value = CPROVER_EXIT_USAGE_ERROR;
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      show_symbol_table(goto_model, filter, ui);
+      return_value = CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
+      return false;
+    }
+    show_symbol_table(goto_model, ui);
+    return_value = CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
+    return false;
+  }
+  if(cmdline.isset("list-symbols") || cmdline.isset("list-symbol-table"))
+  {
+    if(cmdline.isset("filter-symbol-table"))
+    {
+      symbol_table_filtert filter;
+      if(filter.setup(cmdline.get_value("filter-symbol-table")))
+      {
+        return_value = CPROVER_EXIT_USAGE_ERROR;
+        return false;
+      }
+
+      show_symbol_table_brief(goto_model, filter, ui);
+      return_value = CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
+      return false;
+    }
+    show_symbol_table_brief(goto_model, ui);
+    return_value = CPROVER_EXIT_SUCCESS;
+    return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
 void show_symbol_table_xml_ui()
 {
 }
 
 void show_symbol_table_brief_plain(
   const symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &filter,
   std::ostream &out)
 {
   // we want to sort alphabetically
@@ -57,12 +212,14 @@ void show_symbol_table_brief_plain(
     if(symbol.type.is_not_nil())
       ptr->from_type(symbol.type, type_str, ns);
 
-    out << symbol.name << " " << type_str << '\n';
+    if(filter.is_selected(symbol))
+      out << symbol.name << " " << type_str << '\n';
   }
 }
 
 void show_symbol_table_plain(
   const symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &filter,
   std::ostream &out)
 {
   out << '\n' << "Symbols:" << '\n' << '\n';
@@ -103,6 +260,10 @@ void show_symbol_table_plain(
     if(symbol.value.is_not_nil())
       ptr->from_expr(symbol.value, value_str, ns);
 
+    if(!filter.is_selected(symbol))
+    {
+      continue;
+    }
     out << "Symbol......: " << symbol.name << '\n' << std::flush;
     out << "Pretty name.: " << symbol.pretty_name << '\n';
     out << "Module......: " << symbol.module << '\n';
@@ -155,11 +316,20 @@ void show_symbol_table_plain(
 void show_symbol_table(
   const symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
   ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
+{
+  symbol_table_filtert filter;
+  show_symbol_table(symbol_table, filter, ui);
+}
+
+void show_symbol_table(
+  const symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &filter,
+  ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
 {
   switch(ui)
   {
   case ui_message_handlert::uit::PLAIN:
-    show_symbol_table_plain(symbol_table, std::cout);
+    show_symbol_table_plain(symbol_table, filter, std::cout);
     break;
 
   case ui_message_handlert::uit::XML_UI:
@@ -178,14 +348,31 @@ void show_symbol_table(
   show_symbol_table(goto_model.symbol_table, ui);
 }
 
+void show_symbol_table(
+  const goto_modelt &goto_model,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &filter,
+  ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
+{
+  show_symbol_table(goto_model.symbol_table, filter, ui);
+}
+
+void show_symbol_table_brief(
+  const symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
+{
+  symbol_table_filtert filter;
+  show_symbol_table_brief(symbol_table, filter, ui);
+}
+
 void show_symbol_table_brief(
   const symbol_tablet &symbol_table,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &filter,
   ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
 {
   switch(ui)
   {
   case ui_message_handlert::uit::PLAIN:
-    show_symbol_table_brief_plain(symbol_table, std::cout);
+    show_symbol_table_brief_plain(symbol_table, filter, std::cout);
     break;
 
   case ui_message_handlert::uit::XML_UI:
@@ -197,6 +384,14 @@ void show_symbol_table_brief(
   }
 }
 
+void show_symbol_table_brief(
+  const goto_modelt &goto_model,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &filter,
+  ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
+{
+  show_symbol_table_brief(goto_model.symbol_table, filter, ui);
+}
+
 void show_symbol_table_brief(
   const goto_modelt &goto_model,
   ui_message_handlert::uit ui)
diff --git a/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.h b/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.h
index 82e49128967..533c5b1ce83 100644
--- a/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.h
+++ b/src/goto-programs/show_symbol_table.h
@@ -16,21 +16,89 @@ Author: Daniel Kroening, kroening@kroening.com
 
 class symbol_tablet;
 class goto_modelt;
+class symbolt;
+class cmdlinet;
+
+// clang-format off
+#define OPT_SHOW_SYMBOL_TABLE \
+  "(show-symbol-table)" \
+  "(list-symbols)(list-symbol-table)" \
+  "(filter-symbol-table):"
+
+#define HELP_SHOW_SYMBOL_TABLE \
+  " --show-symbol-table          show loaded symbol table\n" \
+  " --list-symbols               keept for compatibility, use --list-symbol-table instead\n" \
+  " --list-symbol-table          list symbols with type information\n" \
+  " --filter-symbol-table        filter the symbol table for passed flags before printing\n" \
+  "                              Allowed flags are: lvalue, static_lifetime, thread_local,\n" \
+  "                              type, extern, intern, output, macro, parameter, auxilary,\n" \
+  "                              You might pass a comma separatd list flag1,flag2,...\n"
+// clang-format on
+
+class symbol_table_filtert
+{
+public:
+  symbol_table_filtert();
+  virtual bool is_selected(const symbolt &symbol) const;
+  virtual bool setup(const std::string &flags);
+
+protected:
+  virtual bool set_filter_flag(const std::string &flag);
+
+private:
+  bool filter_lvalue;
+  bool filter_static_lifetime;
+  bool filter_thread_local;
+  bool filter_file_local;
+  bool filter_type;
+  bool filter_extern;
+  bool filter_input;
+  bool filter_output;
+  bool filter_macro;
+  bool filter_parameter;
+  bool filter_auxilary;
+  bool filter_weak;
+  bool filter_property;
+  bool filter_state_var;
+  bool filter_exported;
+  bool filter_volatile;
+  bool default_pass;
+};
+
+bool check_commandline_for_show_symbol_flags(
+  int &return_value,
+  const cmdlinet &cmdline,
+  const goto_modelt &goto_model,
+  ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
+
+void show_symbol_table(const symbol_tablet &, ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
 
 void show_symbol_table(
   const symbol_tablet &,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &,
   ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
 
 void show_symbol_table_brief(
   const symbol_tablet &,
   ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
 
+void show_symbol_table_brief(
+  const symbol_tablet &,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &,
+  ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
+
+void show_symbol_table(const goto_modelt &, ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
+
 void show_symbol_table(
   const goto_modelt &,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &,
   ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
 
 void show_symbol_table_brief(
   const goto_modelt &,
+  const symbol_table_filtert &,
   ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
 
+void show_symbol_table_brief(const goto_modelt &, ui_message_handlert::uit ui);
+
 #endif // CPROVER_GOTO_PROGRAMS_SHOW_SYMBOL_TABLE_H