Python Programming / Python Dictionaries

Nested Dictionary

Learn how to create a nested dictionary in Python. How to access and modify nested dictionary values. How to iterate over nested dictionary items. How to convert a nested dictionary to a flat dictionary. How to convert a nested dictionary to a list of tuples. How to convert a nested dictionary to a list of lists. How to convert a nested dictionary to a list of dictionaries.

8 min readupdated 6 Oct 2026

diagram copy() copies the container, not what is inside it mermaid

  flowchart TD
  A["orig = {'a': {'x': 1}}"] --> B["orig.copy()"]
  B --> C["a NEW outer dict"]
  C --> D["its 'a' slot points at the SAME inner dict"]
  D --> E["copy['a']['x'] = 99 changes orig too"]
  A --> F["copy.deepcopy(orig)"]
  F --> G["a new outer dict AND new inner objects"]
  G --> H["independent all the way down"]
  I["dict(orig), orig.copy(), orig[:] for lists"] --> C
  J["nested lists, dicts, sets, custom objects"] --> K["need deepcopy to be independent"]

A shallow copy makes a new outer object whose slots point at the very same inner objects. For a flat structure that is a full copy. For anything nested it is not -- and mutating an inner value through either name shows up in both, because there is only one inner value.

Verified on {"a": {"x": 1}, "b": [1, 2]}

After mutating the shallow copy's inner values:

	Result	Inner dict shared with the original?
original	`{'a': {'x': 99}, 'b': [1, 2, 3]}`	—
`orig.copy()`	`{'a': {'x': 99}, 'b': [1, 2, 3]}`	yes
`copy.deepcopy(orig)`	`{'a': {'x': 1}, 'b': [1, 2]}`	no

The original changed even though it was never touched directly. dict(orig) behaves the same way, as does list(xs) and xs[:] — all of them copy one level.

deepcopy is the fix, with two caveats worth knowing: it is much slower, and it follows every reference, so copying an object that holds a database connection or a file handle will try to copy those too. For configuration-shaped data it is exactly right; for objects with resources, give the class an explicit __deepcopy__ or copy the fields you actually need.

Nested Dictionaries

Nested dictionaries are dictionaries that contain other dictionaries.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested.py
{'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Accessing Nested Dictionaries

Accessing nested dictionaries is a way to access the values of a nested dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
print(data['a']['b'])
print(data['d']['e'])

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_access.py
1
3

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Accessing Nested Dictionaries Using get() Method

Accessing nested dictionaries using the get() method is a way to access the values of a nested dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
print(data.get('a').get('b'))
print(data.get('d').get('e'))

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_get.py
1
3

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Looping Through Nested Dictionaries

Looping through nested dictionaries is a way to iterate through the keys, values, or items of a nested dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
for key, value in data.items():
    print(key, value)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_loop.py
a {'b': 1, 'c': 2}
d {'e': 3, 'f': 4}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then loop through the dictionary items using a for loop. We then print the dictionary key and value. The output shows that the dictionary items are printed.

Looping Through Nested Dictionaries Using Deeply Nested Dictionaries

Looping through nested dictionaries using deeply nested dictionaries is a way to iterate through the keys, values, or items of a nested dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': {'c': 1, 'd': 2}, 'e': {'f': 3, 'g': 4}}, 'h': {'i': {'j': 5, 'k': 6}, 'l': {'m': 7, 'n': 8}}}
for key, value in data.items():
    for key2, value2 in value.items():
        for key3, value3 in value2.items():
            print("Level 1: " + key + " => Level 2: " + key2 + " => Level 3: " + key3 + " => Value: " + str(value3))

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_deep_loop.py
Level 1: a => Level 2: b => Level 3: c => Value: 1
Level 1: a => Level 2: b => Level 3: d => Value: 2
Level 1: a => Level 2: e => Level 3: f => Value: 3
Level 1: a => Level 2: e => Level 3: g => Value: 4
Level 1: h => Level 2: i => Level 3: j => Value: 5
Level 1: h => Level 2: i => Level 3: k => Value: 6
Level 1: h => Level 2: l => Level 3: m => Value: 7
Level 1: h => Level 2: l => Level 3: n => Value: 8

Adding Nested Dictionaries

Adding nested dictionaries is a way to add a nested dictionary to a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_add.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Updating Nested Dictionaries

Updating nested dictionaries is a way to update a nested dictionary in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
data['d']['e'] = 6
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_update.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 6, 'f': 5}}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then update the nested dictionary in the dictionary. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Deleting Nested Dictionaries

Deleting nested dictionaries is a way to delete a nested dictionary in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
print(data)
del data['d']
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_delete.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then print the variable data. We then delete the nested dictionary in the dictionary. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Clearing Nested Dictionaries

Clearing nested dictionaries is a way to clear a nested dictionary in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
print(data)
data['d'].clear()
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_clear.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {}}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then print the variable data. We then clear the nested dictionary in the dictionary. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Copying Nested Dictionaries

Copying nested dictionaries is a way to create a copy of a nested dictionary.

Python

data1 = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data1['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
data2 = data1.copy()
print(data1)
print(data2)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_copy.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data1. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then declare a second dictionary and assign it to the variable data2. We then print the variable data1 and data2. The output shows that the variable data1 and data2 are dictionaries.

Updating Nested Dictionaries Using update() Method

Updating nested dictionaries using the update() method is a way to update a nested dictionary in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
print(data)
data['d'].update({'e': 6})
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_update_method.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 6, 'f': 5}}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then print the variable data. We then update the nested dictionary in the dictionary using the update() method. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Deleting Nested Dictionaries Using del Keyword

Deleting nested dictionaries using the del keyword is a way to delete a nested dictionary in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
print(data)
del data['d']
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_del_keyword.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then print the variable data. We then delete the nested dictionary in the dictionary using the del keyword. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Deleting Nested Dictionaries Using pop() Method

Deleting nested dictionaries using the pop() method is a way to delete a nested dictionary in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
print(data)
data.pop('d')
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_pop_method.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then print the variable data. We then delete the nested dictionary in the dictionary using the pop() method. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Deleting Nested Dictionaries Using popitem() Method

Deleting nested dictionaries using the popitem() method is a way to delete a nested dictionary in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
print(data)
data.popitem()
print(data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_popitem_method.py
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3, 'd': {'e': 4, 'f': 5}}
{'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then print the variable data. We then delete the nested dictionary in the dictionary using the popitem() method. We then print the variable data. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Checking if Nested Dictionaries Exist

Checking if nested dictionaries exist is a way to check if a nested dictionary exists in a dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}
if 'd' in data:
    print("d exists")
else:
    print("d does not exist")
data['d'] = {'e': 4, 'f': 5}
if 'd' in data:
    print("d exists")
else:
    print("d does not exist")

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_exist.py
d does not exist
d exists

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then check if the key d exists in the dictionary. We then print the result. We then add a nested dictionary to the dictionary. We then check if the key d exists in the dictionary. We then print the result. The output shows that the variable data is a dictionary.

Converting Nested Dictionaries to Flat Dictionaries

Converting nested dictionaries to flat dictionaries is a way to convert a nested dictionary to a flat dictionary.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
flat_data = {}
for key, value in data.items():
    for key2, value2 in value.items():
        flat_data[key2] = value2
print(flat_data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_flat.py
{'b': 1, 'c': 2, 'e': 3, 'f': 4}

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then declare an empty dictionary and assign it to the variable flat_data. We then loop through the dictionary items using a for loop. We then loop through the nested dictionary items using a for loop. We then add the nested dictionary items to the flat dictionary. We then print the variable flat_data. The output shows that the variable flat_data is a dictionary.

Converting Nested Dictionaries to List of Tuples

Converting nested dictionaries to a list of tuples is a way to convert a nested dictionary to a list of tuples.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
list_tuples = []
for key, value in data.items():
    for key2, value2 in value.items():
        list_tuples.append((key2, value2))
print(list_tuples)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_list_tuples.py
[('b', 1), ('c', 2), ('e', 3), ('f', 4)]

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then declare an empty list and assign it to the variable list_tuples. We then loop through the dictionary items using a for loop. We then loop through the nested dictionary items using a for loop. We then add the nested dictionary items to the list. We then print the variable list_tuples. The output shows that the variable list_tuples is a list of tuples.

Converting Nested Dictionaries to List of Lists

Converting nested dictionaries to a list of lists is a way to convert a nested dictionary to a list of lists.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
list_lists = []
for key, value in data.items():
    for key2, value2 in value.items():
        list_lists.append([key2, value2])
print(list_lists)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_list_lists.py
[['b', 1], ['c', 2], ['e', 3], ['f', 4]]

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then declare an empty list and assign it to the variable list_lists. We then loop through the dictionary items using a for loop. We then loop through the nested dictionary items using a for loop. We then add the nested dictionary items to the list. We then print the variable list_lists. The output shows that the variable list_lists is a list of lists.

Converting Nested Dictionaries to List of Dictionaries

Converting nested dictionaries to a list of dictionaries is a way to convert a nested dictionary to a list of dictionaries.

Python

data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
list_dicts = []
for key, value in data.items():
    for key2, value2 in value.items():
        list_dicts.append({key2: value2})
print(list_dicts)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_list_dicts.py
[{'b': 1}, {'c': 2}, {'e': 3}, {'f': 4}]

In this example, we declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then declare an empty list and assign it to the variable list_dicts. We then loop through the dictionary items using a for loop. We then loop through the nested dictionary items using a for loop. We then add the nested dictionary items to the list. We then print the variable list_dicts. The output shows that the variable list_dicts is a list of dictionaries.

Converting Nested Dictionaries to JSON

Converting nested dictionaries to JSON is a way to convert a nested dictionary to JSON.

Python

import json
data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
json_data = json.dumps(data)
print(json_data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_json.py
{"a": {"b": 1, "c": 2}, "d": {"e": 3, "f": 4}}

In this example, we import the json module. We then declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then convert the dictionary to JSON using the dumps() method. We then print the variable json_data. The output shows that the variable json_data is a JSON string.

Converting Nested Dictionaries to YAML

Converting nested dictionaries to YAML is a way to convert a nested dictionary to YAML.

Python

import yaml
data = {'a': {'b': 1, 'c': 2}, 'd': {'e': 3, 'f': 4}}
yaml_data = yaml.dump(data)
print(yaml_data)

Output:

cmd

C:\Users\username>python dict_nested_yaml.py
a:
  b: 1
  c: 2
d:
  e: 3
  f: 4

In this example, we import the yaml module. We then declare a dictionary and assign it to the variable data. We then convert the dictionary to YAML using the dump() method. We then print the variable yaml_data. The output shows that the variable yaml_data is a YAML string.

Conclusion

Nested dictionaries are dictionaries that contain other dictionaries. Nested dictionaries can be accessed, modified, and iterated over. Nested dictionaries can be converted to flat dictionaries, lists of tuples, lists of lists, lists of dictionaries, JSON, and YAML. For more information on dictionaries, Check out the Python Central Hub.

sketch A shallow copy duplicates the box, not the contents p5.js

Two names, one nested structure. copy() builds a new outer dictionary whose slots point at the very same inner objects, so changing an inner value through either name shows in both. deepcopy walks the whole tree and rebuilds it. Click to switch between the two and watch which arrows are shared.

Check yourself

quizCheck yourself

`orig = {'a': {'x': 1}}`; `c = orig.copy()`; `c['a']['x'] = 99`. What is `orig['a']['x']`?
Show answer
B — `99` — Verified. A shallow copy makes a new outer dict whose slot points at the SAME inner dict, so mutating through either name is visible through both.
Which of these produces an independent nested structure?
Show answer
C — `copy.deepcopy(orig)` — Only `deepcopy` rebuilds the inner objects. `dict(orig)`, `.copy()` and `{**orig}` are all one level deep.
Why is a shallow copy of a FLAT dictionary of integers perfectly safe?
Show answer
B — The inner objects cannot be mutated, so sharing them is unobservable — Sharing only matters when the shared object can change. Immutable values — numbers, strings, tuples — are safe to share.
What is a real drawback of `deepcopy`?
Show answer
B — It follows every reference, so it will try to copy things like open files or connections — It is also much slower. For objects holding resources, define `__deepcopy__` or copy just the fields you need.

Try it: Nested Dictionary Exercises

Exercise 1 – Access Nested Value

exerciseYour turn

script.py

# Task: Exercise 1 – Access Nested Value
# Follow the steps below and fill in the blanks.
# Use the 'Show Solution' button only after you have tried!

# Hint: print(value) displays output; print(a, b) prints multiple values.
# Step: Assign the correct value (a dict or set) to 'students'.
students = ___  # replace ___ with the correct value
  # Hint: Chain bracket notation to access nested values.
  # Step: Write the required code here.
  # "Alice": {"age": 20, "grade": "A"},
  # replace the comment above with working code
  # Hint: Run after every change -- small steps are easier to debug!
  # Step: Write the required code here.
  # "Bob": {"age": 22, "grade": "B"}
  # replace the comment above with working code
# Hint: Read error messages carefully -- they point to the exact line.
# Step: Write the required code here.
# }
# replace the comment above with working code
# Step: Call print() with the right argument(s).
# Example structure: print(students["Alice"]["grade"])
print(___)  # replace ___ with the correct expression

# ── Expected Output ──────────────────────────────────────────
# (Run your completed code to check the output)
# ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Output

Press Run to see what your code prints.

Exercise 2 – Update Nested Value

exerciseYour turn

script.py

Output

Press Run to see what your code prints.

Exercise 3 – Loop Through Nested Dict

exerciseYour turn

script.py

# Task: Exercise 3 – Loop Through Nested Dict
# Follow the steps below and fill in the blanks.
# Use the 'Show Solution' button only after you have tried!

# Hint: 'for item in iterable:' iterates over each element in sequence.
# Step: Assign the correct value (a dict or set) to 'catalog'.
catalog = ___  # replace ___ with the correct value
  # Hint: print(value) displays output; print(a, b) prints multiple values.
  # Step: Write the required code here.
  # "book": {"price": 12},
  # replace the comment above with working code
  # Hint: Use .items() on outer dict and access inner keys.
  # Step: Write the required code here.
  # "pen": {"price": 2}
  # replace the comment above with working code
# Hint: Run after every change -- small steps are easier to debug!
# Step: Write the required code here.
# }
# replace the comment above with working code
# Hint: Read error messages carefully -- they point to the exact line.
# Step: Write a for loop -- 'for <variable> in <iterable>:'
for item, info in catalog.items():
  # Step: Call print() with the right argument(s).
  # Example structure: print(item, "costs", info["price"])
  print(___)  # replace ___ with the correct expression

Output

Press Run to see what your code prints.

Nested Dictionary

Nested Dictionaries

Accessing Nested Dictionaries

Accessing Nested Dictionaries Using get() Method

Looping Through Nested Dictionaries

Looping Through Nested Dictionaries Using Deeply Nested Dictionaries

Adding Nested Dictionaries

Updating Nested Dictionaries

Deleting Nested Dictionaries

Clearing Nested Dictionaries

Copying Nested Dictionaries

Updating Nested Dictionaries Using update() Method

Deleting Nested Dictionaries Using del Keyword

Deleting Nested Dictionaries Using pop() Method

Deleting Nested Dictionaries Using popitem() Method

Checking if Nested Dictionaries Exist

Converting Nested Dictionaries to Flat Dictionaries

Converting Nested Dictionaries to List of Tuples

Converting Nested Dictionaries to List of Lists

Converting Nested Dictionaries to List of Dictionaries

Converting Nested Dictionaries to JSON

Converting Nested Dictionaries to YAML

Conclusion

Check yourself

Try it: Nested Dictionary Exercises

Exercise 1 – Access Nested Value

Exercise 2 – Update Nested Value

Exercise 3 – Loop Through Nested Dict

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