How to Use TYPE Command in Redis: Syntax and Examples

Use the TYPE command in Redis to find out the data type stored at a specific key. The command returns types like string, list, set, hash, zset, or none if the key does not exist.

Syntax

The TYPE command syntax is simple. You provide the key name as an argument, and Redis returns the type of value stored at that key.

• TYPE key: Returns the data type of the key.

Possible return values include string, list, set, hash, zset (sorted set), or none if the key does not exist.

redis

TYPE key

Example

This example shows how to use the TYPE command to check the data type of different keys in Redis.

redis

SET mystring "hello"
LPUSH mylist "world"
SADD myset "a"
HSET myhash field1 "value1"

TYPE mystring
TYPE mylist
TYPE myset
TYPE myhash
TYPE nonexistentkey

Output

string
list
set
hash
none

Common Pitfalls

One common mistake is assuming the TYPE command returns the value stored at the key instead of its type. Another is checking a key that does not exist, which returns none. Also, remember that TYPE only tells you the top-level data type, not the contents.

Wrong usage example:

TYPE mystring
GET mystring

Correct usage is to use TYPE to check type, then use the appropriate command to get the value.

redis

TYPE mystring
GET mystring

Output

string
"hello"

Quick Reference

Data Type	Description
string	Simple string value
list	Ordered list of strings
set	Unordered collection of unique strings
hash	Key-value pairs within a key
zset	Sorted set with scores
none	Key does not exist

Key Takeaways

Use TYPE key to find the data type stored at a Redis key.

The command returns types like string, list, set, hash, zset, or none if the key is missing.

Check the type before using commands specific to that data type to avoid errors.

If TYPE returns none, the key does not exist in the database.

Remember TYPE shows the data type, not the actual value stored.