# CFDictionaryGetValue(_:_:) Returns the value associated with a given key. ``` func CFDictionaryGetValue(_ theDict: CFDictionary!, _ key: UnsafeRawPointer!) -> UnsafeRawPointer! ``` ## Parameters `theDict` The dictionary to examine. `key` The key for which to find a match in `theDict`. The key hash and equal callbacks provided when the dictionary was created are used to compare. If the hash callback was `NULL`, the key is treated as a pointer and converted to an integer. If the equal callback was `NULL`, pointer equality (in C, ==) is used. If `key`, or any of the keys in `theDict`, is not understood by the equal callback, the behavior is undefined. ## Return Value The value associated with `key` in `theDict`, or `NULL` if no key-value pair matching `key` exists. Since `NULL` is also a valid value in some dictionaries, use [`CFDictionaryGetValueIfPresent(_:_:_:)`](/documentation/CoreFoundation/CFDictionaryGetValueIfPresent(_:_:_:)) to distinguish between a value that is not found, and a `NULL` value. If the value is a Core Foundation object, ownership follows the [The Get Rule](https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/CoreFoundation/Conceptual/CFMemoryMgmt/Concepts/Ownership.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20001148-SW1). ## Discussion --- 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)