Python Dictionary items() Method

Q: What does items() return in Python?

It returns a `dict_items` view of the dictionary's `(key, value)` tuples. The view is live, so it reflects later changes to the dictionary.

Q: How do I loop through a dictionary's keys and values together?

Use `for key, value in my_dict.items():`. Each pair is unpacked into the two variables.

Q: How do I convert dict.items() to a list?

Wrap it in `list()`: `list(my_dict.items())` gives a list of `(key, value)` tuples. Use `dict()` on that list to turn the pairs back into a dictionary.

By Yogesh Sharma (LinkedIn) · Every code example is run and checked on Python 3.13 (how we test) · Last updated 21 Oct 2026

Short answer

dict.items() returns a live view of the dictionary's (key, value) pairs, most often used as for key, value in d.items(): to loop over keys and values together.

When you need both halves of every entry, items() is the method to reach for. Each pair arrives as a two-item tuple, which Python unpacks into two loop variables for you. This is the standard way to loop through a dictionary and a key part of the dictionary methods toolkit.

The result is not a list but a view object. It stays connected to the dictionary, takes almost no memory and always reflects the current contents.

Quick facts
Syntax	`my_dict.items()`
Parameters	None
Returns	A `dict_items` view of `(key, value)` tuples
Order	Insertion order (guaranteed since Python 3.7)
Time complexity	O(1) to create the view; O(n) to iterate

How items() and tuple unpacking work together

Each element of the view is a tuple such as ("pen", 3). Writing for name, price in prices.items() unpacks that tuple into name and price on every pass. Without unpacking you would get the whole tuple in a single variable.

Python

prices = {"pen": 3, "book": 12}
print(prices.items())
for name, price in prices.items():
    print(name, price)

The first line shows the view's printed form, dict_items([...]).

items() is a live view, not a copy

A view reflects later changes. Store view = d.items(), add a key to d, and view shows it. That is efficient, but it also means you must not add or remove keys while looping over the view: Python raises RuntimeError: dictionary changed size during iteration. To change the dictionary while looping, loop over a snapshot with list(d.items()).

Views also support len(), membership tests with in (for example ("pen", 3) in prices.items()) and set-like operations such as & and -, because the pairs are hashable as long as the values are. When you need indexing or sorting, convert with list() or sorted(), as in sorting a dictionary by value.

items() compared with keys() and values()

Three views of the same dictionary.
Method	Yields	Typical use
`items()`	`(key, value)` pairs	Loop when you need both, build a new dict
`keys()`	Keys only	Check or compare the key set
`values()`	Values only	Sum, max or min of the values
`for k in d`	Keys only	Shortcut for looping over `keys()`

Examples you can run

Press Run, then edit the code and run it again.

Print a receipt from a dictionary

Unpack each pair into item and price, and add up the prices as you go.

Print a receipt from a dictionary

cart = {"pen": 3, "notebook": 45, "ruler": 10}
total = 0
for item, price in cart.items():
    print(f"{item}: {price}")
    total += price
print("Total:", total)

Expected outputpen: 3
notebook: 45
ruler: 10
Total: 58

Filter a dictionary with a comprehension

items() feeds a dictionary comprehension that keeps only the passing scores.

Filter a dictionary with a comprehension

scores = {"asha": 82, "ravi": 45, "meera": 91, "john": 38}
passed = {name: s for name, s in scores.items() if s >= 50}
print(passed)

Expected output{'asha': 82, 'meera': 91}

The view updates when the dictionary changes

The same view object shows the new entry without calling items() again.

The view updates when the dictionary changes

stock = {"apples": 4}
view = stock.items()
stock["pears"] = 7
print(list(view))
print(len(view))

Expected output[('apples', 4), ('pears', 7)]
2

Common mistakes

Forgetting to unpack the pairs

✗ Wrong

ages = {"asha": 21}
for pair in ages:
    print(pair)

Prints only 'asha': looping over a dictionary gives keys, not pairs

✓ Right

ages = {"asha": 21}
for name, age in ages.items():
    print(name, age)

Loop over ages.items() and unpack into two variables to get both key and value.

Deleting keys while looping over items()

✗ Wrong

d = {"a": 1, "b": 2}
for k, v in d.items():
    if v == 1:
        del d[k]

RuntimeError: dictionary changed size during iteration

✓ Right

d = {"a": 1, "b": 2}
for k, v in list(d.items()):
    if v == 1:
        del d[k]
print(d)

Loop over a copy of the pairs with list(d.items()), or build a new dictionary with a comprehension.

Indexing the view like a list

✗ Wrong

d = {"a": 1}
print(d.items()[0])

TypeError: 'dict_items' object is not subscriptable

✓ Right

d = {"a": 1}
print(list(d.items())[0])

Convert to a list first: list(d.items())[0].

Python Dictionary items() Method: questions people ask

What does items() return in Python?

It returns a dict_items view of the dictionary's (key, value) tuples. The view is live, so it reflects later changes to the dictionary.

How do I loop through a dictionary's keys and values together?

Use for key, value in my_dict.items():. Each pair is unpacked into the two variables.

How do I convert dict.items() to a list?

Wrap it in list(): list(my_dict.items()) gives a list of (key, value) tuples. Use dict() on that list to turn the pairs back into a dictionary.

Keep learning

Step-by-step lessons:
Python Dictionaries Python Dictionary Methods Python for Loops

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Python Dictionary get() Method Python Dictionary keys() Method Python Dictionary values() Method Python Dictionary update() Method Python Dictionary pop() Method Python Dictionary popitem() Method Python Dictionary setdefault() Method Python Dictionary clear() Method See all →