<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 11.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 11.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 -",
    "macOS: 10.13.0 -",
    "tvOS: 11.0.0 -",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "Metal",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Class",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Class",
    "modules" : [
      "Metal"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(cs)MTLPointerType"
  },
  "title" : "MTLPointerType"
}
-->

# MTLPointerType

A description of a pointer.

```
class MTLPointerType
```

## Topics

### Describing the pointer elements

[`alignment`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType/alignment)

The required byte alignment in memory for the element data.

[`dataSize`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType/dataSize)

The size, in bytes, of the element data.

[`elementType`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType/elementType)

The data type of the element data.

[`access`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType/access)

The function’s read/write access to the element data.

[`elementIsArgumentBuffer`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType/elementIsArgumentBuffer)

A Boolean value that indicates whether the element is an argument buffer.

### Obtaining details for complex pointer elements

[`elementArrayType()`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType/elementArrayType())

Provides a description of the underlying array when the pointer points to an array.

[`elementStructType()`](/documentation/Metal/MTLPointerType/elementStructType())

Provides a description of the underlying struct when the pointer points to a struct.


---

Copyright &copy; 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)