---
acl_categories:
- '@read'
- '@string'
- '@fast'
arguments:
- display_text: key
  key_spec_index: 0
  name: key
  type: key
arity: 2
categories:
- docs
- develop
- stack
- oss
- rs
- rc
- oss
- kubernetes
- clients
command_flags:
- readonly
- fast
complexity: O(1)
description: Returns the string value of a key.
group: string
hidden: false
key_specs:
- RO: true
  access: true
  begin_search:
    spec:
      index: 1
    type: index
  find_keys:
    spec:
      keystep: 1
      lastkey: 0
      limit: 0
    type: range
linkTitle: GET
railroad_diagram: /images/railroad/get.svg
since: 1.0.0
summary: Returns the string value of a key.
syntax_fmt: GET key
title: GET
---
Get the value of `key`.
If the key does not exist the special value `nil` is returned.
An error is returned if the value stored at `key` is not a string, because `GET`
only handles string values.

## Examples

{{% redis-cli %}}
GET nonexisting
SET mykey "Hello"
GET mykey
{{% /redis-cli %}}

### Code examples

{{< clients-example set="set_and_get" step="get" description="Foundational: Retrieve the string value of a key using GET (returns nil if key doesn't exist)" difficulty="beginner" />}}

## Redis Software and Redis Cloud compatibility

| Redis<br />Software | Redis<br />Cloud | <span style="min-width: 9em; display: table-cell">Notes</span> |
|:----------------------|:-----------------|:------|
| <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Standard</span><br /><span title="Supported"><nobr>&#x2705; Active-Active</nobr></span> | <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Standard</span><br /><span title="Supported"><nobr>&#x2705; Active-Active</nobr></span> |  |

## Return information

{{< multitabs id="get-return-info" 
    tab1="RESP2" 
    tab2="RESP3" >}}

One of the following:
* [Bulk string reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings): the value of the key.
* [Nil reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings): if the key does not exist.

-tab-sep-

One of the following:
* [Bulk string reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings): the value of the key.
* [Null reply](../../develop/reference/protocol-spec#nulls): key does not exist.

{{< /multitabs >}}