---
title: "removeFirst(_:)"
framework: swift
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "swift/contiguousarray/removefirst(_:)"
---

# removeFirst(_:)

Removes the specified number of elements from the beginning of the collection.

## Declaration

```swift
mutating func removeFirst(_ k: Int)
```

## Parameters

- `k`: The number of elements to remove from the collection. k must be greater than or equal to zero and must not exceed the number of elements in the collection.

## Discussion

Discussion var bugs = ["Aphid", "Bumblebee", "Cicada", "Damselfly", "Earwig"] bugs.removeFirst(3) print(bugs) // Prints "["Damselfly", "Earwig"]" Calling this method may invalidate any existing indices for use with this collection. note: O(n), where n is the length of the collection.