Python TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable — Causes & Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

Python raises TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable when you use the bracket notation [] on an integer. Only sequences (lists, tuples, strings) and mappings (dicts) support subscript access. An integer value has no index.

Common Causes (With Code)

1. Confusing a variable holding an int with a list

❌ Causes the error

count = 42
print(count[0])
# TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable

2. A function returns an int but you treat it as a list

❌ Causes the error

def get_score():
    return 95       # returns int, not a list

score = get_score()
print(score[0])     # TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable

3. Off-by-one indexing assignment — int on left side of brackets

❌ Causes the error

data = [10, 20, 30]
length = len(data)    # length = 3 (int)
print(length[0])      # TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable

4. Overwriting a list variable with an integer mid-code

❌ Causes the error

items = [1, 2, 3]
items = len(items)    # items is now 3 (int)
print(items[0])       # TypeError: 'int' object is not subscriptable

How to Fix It

Fix 1 — Make sure you're indexing the right variable (list, not int)

✅ Correct

data = [10, 20, 30]
print(data[0])    # 10  — index the list, not its length

Fix 2 — Update the function to return a list when needed

✅ Correct

def get_scores():
    return [95, 87, 72]   # returns list

scores = get_scores()
print(scores[0])  # 95

Fix 3 — Use a separate variable for len(), never overwrite the list

✅ Correct

items = [1, 2, 3]
item_count = len(items)   # keep `items` as the list
print(items[0])           # 1  ✅
print(item_count)         # 3  ✅

Fix 4 — Use type() to debug which type a variable actually has

✅ Diagnostic tip

x = some_function()
print(type(x))   # Check before indexing
#  → you cannot use [], return a list instead

Frequently Asked Questions

n = 2026
digits = str(n)
print(digits[0])   # '2'
print(int(digits[0]))  # 2  (back to int)