> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/length.md).

# Length

Returns the lengths of the nodes. Length is defined according to the type of the node.

## String length

returns length of string

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: cat
```

then

```bash
yq '.a | length' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
3
```

## null length

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: null
```

then

```bash
yq '.a | length' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
0
```

## Map length

returns number of entries

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
a: cat
c: dog
```

then

```bash
yq 'length' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
2
```

## Array length

returns number of elements

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
```

then

```bash
yq 'length' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
4
```