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

# startIndex

The position of the first element in a nonempty dictionary.

## Declaration

```swift
var startIndex: Dictionary<Key, Value>.Index { get }
```

## Discussion

Discussion If the collection is empty, startIndex is equal to endIndex. note: Amortized O(1) if the dictionary does not wrap a bridged NSDictionary. If the dictionary wraps a bridged NSDictionary, the performance is unspecified.