---
title: startIndex
framework: swift
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Property
path: swift/array/startindex
---

# startIndex

The position of the first element in a nonempty array.

## Declaration

```swift
var startIndex: Int { get }
```

## Discussion

Discussion For an instance of Array, startIndex is always zero. If the array is empty, startIndex is equal to endIndex.

## See Also

### Manipulating Indices

- [endIndex](swift/array/endindex.md)
- [index(after:)](swift/array/index(after:).md)
- [formIndex(after:)](swift/array/formindex(after:).md)
- [index(before:)](swift/array/index(before:).md)
- [formIndex(before:)](swift/array/formindex(before:).md)
- [index(_:offsetBy:)](swift/array/index(_:offsetby:).md)
- [formIndex(_:offsetBy:)](swift/array/formindex(_:offsetby:).md)
- [index(_:offsetBy:limitedBy:)](swift/array/index(_:offsetby:limitedby:).md)
- [formIndex(_:offsetBy:limitedBy:)](swift/array/formindex(_:offsetby:limitedby:).md)
- [distance(from:to:)](swift/array/distance(from:to:).md)