Hash#values

hash.values

Returns: Array · Added in v1.8 · Updated March 14, 2026 · Hash Methods

ruby hash stdlib

Hash#values returns a new array containing all the values from the hash, in insertion order. This method is useful when you need to extract just the values or iterate over them.

Syntax

hash.values

Examples

Basic value extraction

user = { name: "Alice", email: "alice@example.com", age: 30 }

user.values
# => ["Alice", "alice@example.com", 30]

Iteration with values

scores = { alice: 95, bob: 87, charlie: 92 }

scores.values.each do |score|
  puts "Score: #{score}"
end

# Output:
# Score: 95
# Score: 87
# Score: 92

Convert to a set for unique values

inventory = { apples: 5, oranges: 3, bananas: 5, grapes: 7 }

Set.new(inventory.values)
# => #<Set: {5, 3, 7}>

Common Patterns

Check if a value exists

data = { name: "Bob", status: "active" }

data.values.include?("active")
# => true

data.values.include?("pending")
# => false

However, using Hash#value? or Hash#has_value? is more efficient for this purpose.

Transform values

prices = { coffee: 5, tea: 3, milk: 2 }

prices.values.map { |p| p * 1.1 }
# => [5.5, 3.3, 2.2]

Sum numeric values

cart = { apples: 3, bananas: 5, oranges: 2 }

cart.values.sum
# => 10

Get values in sorted order (when comparable)

temps = { monday: 72, tuesday: 68, wednesday: 75 }

temps.values.sort
# => [68, 72, 75]

Extract both keys and values separately

h = { a: 1, b: 2, c: 3 }

keys = h.keys
values = h.values

keys.zip(values)
# => [[:a, 1], [:b, 2], [:c, 3]]

Edge Cases

Empty hash

{}.values
# => []

Mixed value types

{ name: "Alice", age: 25, active: true }.values
# => ["Alice", 25, true]

Duplicate values

{ a: 1, b: 2, c: 1 }.values
# => [1, 2, 1]

Values with nil

{ a: nil, b: 2, c: nil }.values
# => [nil, 2, nil]

Performance Considerations

Hash#values creates a new array each time it’s called. For very large hashes, this can be memory-intensive. If you only need to iterate over values, consider using Hash#each_value instead:

# Memory efficient iteration
large_hash.each_value { |value| process(value) }