# allocate(capacity:) Allocates uninitialized memory for the specified number of instances of type `Pointee`. ``` static func allocate(capacity count: Int) -> UnsafeMutablePointer ``` ## Parameters `count` The amount of memory to allocate, counted in instances of `Pointee`. ## Discussion The resulting pointer references a region of memory that is bound to `Pointee` and is `count * MemoryLayout.stride` bytes in size. The following example allocates enough new memory to store four `Int` instances and then initializes that memory with the elements of a range. ``` let intPointer = UnsafeMutablePointer.allocate(capacity: 4) for i in 0..<4 { (intPointer + i).initialize(to: i) } print(intPointer.pointee) // Prints "0" ``` When you allocate memory, always remember to deallocate once you’re finished. ``` intPointer.deallocate() ``` You must only use `deallocate()` to end the lifetime of memory created with `allocate()`; it is a programming error to use `free` or another deallocation API, and may result in undefined behavior. --- 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)