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Python Dictionary get() Function

The Dictionary get() method retrieves the value for a given key.

note

If the key is found in the dictionary, the method returns its corresponding value. If the key is not found, the method returns a default value if provided. If default value is not specified, it returns None.

Therefore, this method never raises a KeyError exception.

Syntax​

my_dictionary.get(key, default)

get() Parameters​

Python Dictionary get() method parameters:

ParameterConditionDescription
keyRequiredThe key to be searched in the dictionary.
defaultOptionalThe value to return if the key is not found. The default value is None.

get() Return Value​

Python Dictionary get() function returns:

  • the value for the specified key if key is in the dictionary.
  • None if the key is not found and value is not specified.
  • value if the key is not found and value is specified.

Examples​

Example 1: Basic Usage of get() method of dictionaries​

The get() method is used to get the value for the specific key.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
my_value = my_dict.get('name')

print(my_value) # Output: Tom

output

Tom

If key is not in the dictionary, the method returns None.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
my_value = my_dict.get('job')

print(my_value) # Output: None

output

None

Example 2: get() with Default Value Parameter​

If you want a value different from None to be returned, you have to specify the default parameter.

If key is in the dictionary, the method returns the value for key (no matter what you pass in as default, since a pair key-value exists in the dictionary!).

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25, 'job': 'Manager'}
my_value = my_dict.get('job', 'Developer') # get with default value 'Developer'

print(my_value) # Output: Manager

output

Manager

But if key is not in the dictionary, the method returns specified default.

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
my_value = my_dict.get('job','Developer') # get with default value 'Developer'

print(my_value) # Output: Developer

output

Developer

Example 3: get() Method vs Dictionary Indexing (Square Bracket Notation)​

The get() method is similar to indexing a dictionary by key in that it returns the value for the specified key.

However, if you refer to a key that is not in the dictionary, get() method will NEVER raise a KeyError.

For example, if the key is present in the dictionary:

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
print(my_dict.get('name'))  # Output of get: Tom
print(my_dict['name'])      # Output of indexing: Tom

output

Tom
Tom

For example, if the key is not present in the dictionary:

my_dict = {'name': 'Tom', 'age': 25}
print(my_dict.get('job'))  # Output of get: None
print(my_dict['job'])      # Raises KeyError: 'job'

output

None
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "main.py", line 3, in <module>
    print(my_dict['job'])
KeyError: 'job'

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