C# String GetEnumerator() Method

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
3 examples
String
Decorative image with the word GETENUMERATOR

Definition

In C#, GetEnumerator() returns a CharEnumerator that walks each character in the string one by one.

You call it with no parameters. Prefer foreach for daily code. If you use the enumerator directly, call MoveNext before reading Current.

Syntax

Call GetEnumerator on the string, or use foreach.

C#
CharEnumerator e = text.GetEnumerator();
CallWhat it does
text.GetEnumerator()Returns an enumerator that walks each character.

Most code should use foreach (char c in text) instead of calling GetEnumerator by hand.

Library declarations
C#
public CharEnumerator GetEnumerator();

Parameters

This method has no parameters.

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
CharEnumeratorAn enumerator for the characters in the string.

C# Examples

Example 1 — Manual MoveNext / Current

Call GetEnumerator() and print each character with an explicit while loop.

C#
using System;

class Program {
    static void Main() {
        string text = "C#";

        using (CharEnumerator e = text.GetEnumerator()) {
            while (e.MoveNext()) {
                Console.WriteLine(e.Current);
            }
        }
    }
}

How It Works

  1. Get an enumerator. GetEnumerator() starts before the first character.
  2. Advance with MoveNext. First call lands on 'C'; second on '#'.
  3. Read Current. Only after MoveNext() returns true.
  4. using disposes. CharEnumerator implements IDisposable—using cleans up when done.

Example 2 — Prefer foreach

The same walk with foreach—clearer for everyday code, same underlying idea.

C#
using System;

class Program {
    static void Main() {
        string text = "Fun";

        foreach (char c in text) {
            Console.Write(c + " ");
        }
        Console.WriteLine();
    }
}

How It Works

  1. foreach calls GetEnumerator. The compiler generates the MoveNext/Current loop.
  2. Each iteration is one char. c becomes 'F', then 'u', then 'n'.
  3. Less boilerplate. No manual using or while condition to write.
  4. Use explicit GetEnumerator when teaching enumeration or controlling the loop yourself.

Example 3 — Count Letters with an Enumerator

Walk the string and count alphabetic characters—useful enumerator practice without needing indexes.

C#
using System;

class Program {
    static void Main() {
        string text = "C# 12";
        int letters = 0;

        using (CharEnumerator e = text.GetEnumerator()) {
            while (e.MoveNext()) {
                if (char.IsLetter(e.Current)) {
                    letters++;
                }
            }
        }

        Console.WriteLine($"Letters: {letters}");
    }
}

How It Works

  1. Walk every character. "C# 12" yields C, #, space, 1, 2.
  2. Test with char.IsLetter. Only 'C' counts as a letter.
  3. Increment the counter. Final count is 1.
  4. Need positions? Switch to a for loop with text[i] instead of an enumerator.

Frequently Asked Questions

GetEnumerator() returns a CharEnumerator that walks each character in the string.
No. Call it on the string with empty parentheses.
A CharEnumerator for the characters.
Usually no. Prefer foreach (char c in text).
The enumerator has no characters. MoveNext returns false immediately.

Next: GetHashCode()

Learn how strings produce hash codes for collections.

GetHashCode() tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

9 people found this page helpful

C# String Format() Method C# String GetHashCode() Method