# path(forResource:ofType:inDirectory:) Returns the full pathname for the resource identified by the specified name and file extension and located in the specified bundle subdirectory. ``` func path(forResource name: String?, ofType ext: String?, inDirectory subpath: String?) -> String? ``` ## Parameters `name` The name of the resource file. If you specify `nil` , the method returns the first resource file it finds that matches the remaining criteria. `ext` The filename extension of the files to locate. If you specify an empty string or `nil` , all the files in `subpath` and its subdirectories are returned. If an extension is provided the subdirectories are not searched. `subpath` The name of the bundle subdirectory. ## Return Value The full pathname for the resource file, or `nil` if the file could not be located. ## Discussion If `subpath` is `nil`, this method searches the top-level nonlocalized resource directory and the top-level of any language-specific directories. (In macOS, the top-level nonlocalized resource directory is typically called `Resources` but in iOS, it is the main bundle directory.) For example, suppose you have a Mac app with a modern bundle and you specify `@"Documentation"` for the `subpath` parameter. This method would first look in the `Contents/Resources/Documentation` directory of the bundle, followed by the `Documentation` subdirectories of each language-specific `.lproj` directory. Whether this method recurses through subdirectories is dependent on the `extension` parameter. If `nil` or an empty string it will recurse, otherwise, it does not. (The search order for the language-specific directories corresponds to the user’s preferences.) For details on how localized resources are found, read [The Bundle Search Pattern](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFBundles/AccessingaBundlesContents/AccessingaBundlesContents.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000123i-CH104-SW7) in [Bundle Programming Guide](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFBundles/Introduction/Introduction.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/10000123i). ## See Also [`localizedString(forKey:value:table:)`](/documentation/Foundation/Bundle/localizedString(forKey:value:table:)) Returns a localized version of the string designated by the specified key and residing in the specified table. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)