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Access Dictionary Items

Accessing dictionary items is a core Python skill, because dictionaries are used everywhere for structured and real-world data. Unlike lists or tuples, dictionary items are accessed using keys, not indexes.
This topic explains all correct ways to access dictionary items, from basic to advanced.

Access Dictionary Items Using Keys

The most direct way to access a value is by using its key.
python
student = {
    "name": "Jayesh",
    "age": 25,
    "course": "Python"
}

print(student["name"])
If the key does not exist, Python raises an error.
python
# print(student["salary"])  # KeyError

Access Dictionary Items Using get() (Recommended)

The get() method is a safe way to access values.
python
print(student.get("age"))
python
print(student.get("salary"))  # None
You can provide a default value.
python
print(student.get("salary", 0))

Access All Keys

python
keys = student.keys()
print(keys)
python
for key in student.keys():
    print(key)

Access All Values

python
values = student.values()
print(values)
python
for value in student.values():
    print(value)

Access Key–Value Pairs

Use items() to access both key and value together.
python
for key, value in student.items():
    print(key, value)

Check If Key Exists

Before accessing, you can check if a key exists.
python
if "name" in student:
    print(student["name"])

Access Nested Dictionary Items

python
students = {
    "student1": {
        "name": "Amit",
        "age": 20
    },
    "student2": {
        "name": "Riya",
        "age": 22
    }
}

print(students["student1"]["name"])

Access Nested Dictionary Using get()

python
print(students.get("student1", {}).get("age"))
This avoids errors if any key is missing.

Access Dictionary Items Using Loop

Keys Only

python
for key in student:
    print(key, student[key])

Values Only

python
for value in student.values():
    print(value)

Key–Value Together

python
for key, value in student.items():
    print(f"{key}: {value}")

Access Dictionary Items Using Index (Not Allowed)

python
# student[0]   # TypeError
Dictionaries do not support index-based access.

Convert Dictionary for Indexed Access

If index-based access is needed.
python
keys = list(student.keys())
print(keys[0])
python
values = list(student.values())
print(values[0])

Common Mistakes

Accessing Missing Key Directly

python
# print(student["salary"])  # KeyError

Assuming Order Before Python 3.7

python
# Order was not guaranteed before Python 3.7

Best Practices

  • Use get() for safe access
  • Check key existence using in
  • Use items() for loops
  • Avoid index-based access
  • Use nested get() for deep dictionaries

Summary

  • Dictionary values are accessed using keys
  • get() prevents runtime errors
  • keys(), values(), items() provide structured access
  • Nested dictionaries require chained access
  • Dictionaries do not support indexing