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Python enumerate() Function

The enumerate() function adds a counter to an iterable and returns it as an enumerate object (iterator with index and the value).

Syntax​

enumerate(iterable, start)

enumerate() Parameters​

Python enumerate() function parameters:

ParameterConditionDescription
iterableRequiredAn iterable (e.g. list, tuple, string, etc.)
startOptionalA number to start counting from. Default value is 0.
note

By default, enumerate() starts counting at 0 but if you add a second argument start, it will start from that number instead.

enumerate() Return Value​

Python enumerate() function adds a counter to an iterable and returns it: the returned object is an enumerate object.

An enumerate object is an iterator that produces a sequence of tuples, each containing an index and the value from the iterable.

You can convert enumerate objects to lists and tuples using list() and tuple() functions, respectively.

Examples​

Basic Example with Python enumerate() function​

Create a list that can be enumerated:

color_list = ['red', 'green', 'blue']
result = list(enumerate(color_list))
print(result)    # Output: [(0, 'red'), (1, 'green'), (2, 'blue')]

output

[(0, 'red'), (1, 'green'), (2, 'blue')]

You can change the default counter in enumerate() as you need by specifying the start argument:

# set default counter to 10
color_list = ['red', 'green', 'blue']
result = list(enumerate(color_list, 10))
print(result)    # Output: [(10, 'red'), (11, 'green'), (12, 'blue')]

output

[(10, 'red'), (11, 'green'), (12, 'blue')]

Example: loop over an Enumerate Object​

When you iterate an enumerate object, you get a tuple containing (counter, item)

color_list = ['red', 'green', 'blue']
for pair in enumerate(color_list):
    print(pair)

output

(0, 'red')
(1, 'green')
(2, 'blue')

However, you can unpack the tuple into multiple variables as well:

color_list = ['red', 'green', 'blue']
for index, item in enumerate(color_list):
    print(index, item)

output

0 red
1 green
2 blue

And you can also change the default counter and loop:

color_list = ['red', 'green', 'blue']
for index, item in enumerate(color_list, 10):
    print(index, item)

output

10 red
11 green
12 blue

Example: access the next element with next() function​

color_list = ['red', 'green', 'blue']
enumerate_colors = enumerate(color_list)

# accessing the next element
next_element = next(enumerate_colors)
print(f"Next Element: {next_element}")

output

Next Element: (0, 'red')
note

To learn more, visit Python next() function.

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