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

# startIndex

The position of the first element in a nonempty collection.

## Declaration

```swift
var startIndex: Self.Index { get }
```

## Discussion

Discussion If the collection is empty, startIndex is equal to endIndex.

## See Also

### Manipulating Indices

- [endIndex](swift/collection/endindex.md)
- [indices](swift/collection/indices-9kkbf.md)
- [index(after:)](swift/collection/index(after:).md)
- [formIndex(_:offsetBy:)](swift/collection/formindex(_:offsetby:)-393pr.md)
- [formIndex(_:offsetBy:limitedBy:)](swift/collection/formindex(_:offsetby:limitedby:)-6jwra.md)