Enumerate() in Python

Last Updated : 8 May, 2026

The enumerate() function in Python is used to iterate over an iterable while keeping track of both the index and the value. It returns pairs in the form (index, element). This removes the need to manually maintain a counter variable during iteration.

Example: This code shows how enumerate() provides both index and value while iterating over a list.

Python 
a = ["Python", "Java", "C++"]
for i, v in enumerate(a):
    print(i, v)

Output
0 Python
1 Java
2 C++

Explanation: enumerate(a) returns pairs of (index, value), which are unpacked into i and v.

Syntax

enumerate(iterable, start=0)

Parameters:

  • iterable: sequence or collection to iterate over.
  • start (optional): starting value of the index. Default is 0.

Return: Returns an enumerate object that generates (index, element) pairs.

Examples

Example 1: This code converts the enumerate object into a list of tuples. Each tuple contains the index and corresponding element from the list.

Python 
a = ["A", "B", "C"]
r = list(enumerate(a))
print(r)

Output
[(0, 'A'), (1, 'B'), (2, 'C')]

Explanation: list(enumerate(a)) converts index-element pairs into a list of tuples.

Example 2: This code retrieves elements one by one using next() on enumerate object.

Python 
a = ["x", "y", "z"]
e = enumerate(a)

print(next(e))
print(next(e))

Output
(0, 'x')
(1, 'y')

Explanation: next(e) returns the next (index, element) pair.

Example 3: This code enumerates dictionary items and provides index with key-value pairs.

Python 
d = {"a": 10, "b": 20}
for i, (k, v) in enumerate(d.items()):
    print(i, k, v)

Output
0 a 10
1 b 20

Explanation: enumerate(d.items()) returns index with (key, value) pairs.

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Python-Built-in-functions

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