# ==(_:_:) Returns a Boolean value indicating whether two optional instances are equal. ``` static func == (lhs: Wrapped?, rhs: Wrapped?) -> Bool ``` ## Parameters `lhs` An optional value to compare. `rhs` Another optional value to compare. ## Discussion Use this equal-to operator (`==`) to compare any two optional instances of a type that conforms to the `Equatable` protocol. The comparison returns `true` if both arguments are `nil` or if the two arguments wrap values that are equal. Conversely, the comparison returns `false` if only one of the arguments is `nil` or if the two arguments wrap values that are not equal. ``` let group1 = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] let group2 = [1, 3, 5, 7, 9] if group1.first == group2.first { print("The two groups start the same.") } // Prints "The two groups start the same." ``` You can also use this operator to compare a non-optional value to an optional that wraps the same type. The non-optional value is wrapped as an optional before the comparison is made. In the following example, the `numberToMatch` constant is wrapped as an optional before comparing to the optional `numberFromString`: ``` let numberToMatch: Int = 23 let numberFromString: Int? = Int("23") // Optional(23) if numberToMatch == numberFromString { print("It's a match!") } // Prints "It's a match!" ``` An instance that is expressed as a literal can also be used with this operator. In the next example, an integer literal is compared with the optional integer `numberFromString`. The literal `23` is inferred as an `Int` instance and then wrapped as an optional before the comparison is performed. ``` if 23 == numberFromString { print("It's a match!") } // Prints "It's a match!" ``` --- 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)