Python dictionary is a built-in type that supports key-value pairs. It's the nearest builtin data structure relative to Java's HashMap.

You can declare a dict with key-value pairs set to values:

streetno = {
    "1": "Sachin Tendulkar",
    "2": "Dravid",
    "3": "Sehwag",
    "4": "Laxman",
    "5": "Kohli"
}

You can also set a key-value mapping after creation:

streetno = {}
streetno["1"] = "Sachin Tendulkar"
print(streetno["1"]) # => "Sachin Tendulkar"

Another way to create a dictionary is with the dict() builtin function, but this only works when your keys are valid identifiers:

streetno = dict(one="Sachin Tendulkar", two="Dravid")
print(streetno["one"]) # => "Sachin Tendulkar"
Answer from Alan on Stack Overflow
๐ŸŒ
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org โ€บ python โ€บ hash-map-in-python
Hash Map in Python - GeeksforGeeks
October 25, 2025 - A hash map is a data structure that stores key-value pairs and allows fast access, insertion and deletion of values using keys. Python comes with built-in hash maps called dictionaries (dict).
๐ŸŒ
Turing
turing.com โ€บ kb โ€บ how-to-use-hashmap-in-python
All You Need to Know About Using Hashmaps in Python
A hashmap is a data structure that maps keys to their respective value pairs. It makes it easy to find values that are associated with their keys. There is no difference between a dictionary and a hashmap.
๐ŸŒ
DataCamp
datacamp.com โ€บ tutorial โ€บ guide-to-python-hashmaps
A Guide to Python Hashmaps | DataCamp
December 3, 2024 - A hashmap is a data structure that stores key-value pairs by transforming keys into indexes using a hash function, enabling fast data retrieval and updates.
๐ŸŒ
Medium
medium.com โ€บ @conniezhou678 โ€บ mastering-data-algorithm-part-27-understanding-hash-map-in-python-aff129447502
Mastering Data Algorithm โ€” Part 27 Understanding Hash Map in Python | by Connie Zhou | Medium
January 6, 2025 - In Python, dictionaries are implemented as hash maps. Hereโ€™s a simple custom implementation of a hash map: class HashMap: def __init__(self, size=100): self.size = size self.table = [[] for _ in range(size)] def hash_function(self, key): return hash(key) % self.size def put(self, key, value): index = self.hash_function(key) for pair in self.table[index]: if pair[0] == key: pair[1] = value return self.table[index].append([key, value]) def get(self, key): index = self.hash_function(key) for pair in self.table[index]: if pair[0] == key: return pair[1] return None def remove(self, key): index = self.hash_function(key) for i, pair in enumerate(self.table[index]): if pair[0] == key: del self.table[index][i] return ยท
๐ŸŒ
YoungWonks
youngwonks.com โ€บ blog โ€บ python-hashmap
Does Python have a HashMap? What is the equivalent of a HashMap in Python? Is dictionary in Python same as HashMap in Java?
November 26, 2023 - In Python, a HashMap can be compared to a dictionary. It allows us to store key-value pairs where the key is unique. The purpose of HashMap or dictionary in Python is to provide fast access to data based on a unique key.
๐ŸŒ
StrataScratch
stratascratch.com โ€บ blog โ€บ easy-guide-to-python-hashmaps
Easy Guide to Python Hashmaps - StrataScratch
December 16, 2024 - Python dictionaries use hash functions internally to map keys to specific memory locations, enabling fast lookups. This makes them highly efficient for tasks like counting, organizing, or creating mappings between datasets. Python hashmaps shine because they allow various types of keysโ€”strings, numbers, or even tuplesโ€”as long as the keys are immutable.
Find elsewhere
๐ŸŒ
Roadmap
roadmap.sh โ€บ python โ€บ hashmap
Hashmaps in Python: Master Implementation and Use Cases
January 28, 2026 - Instead of searching through items with the same input one by one, a hashmap jumps straight to the value you want by using a hash function. A hash function is a mathematical operation that converts a key into a number. This number determines where the value is stored in memory, which explains why lookups are so fast. So instead of scanning every item like you would with a list, Python goes directly to the correct location, ensuring the same output for the same input.
๐ŸŒ
CodeGym
codegym.cc โ€บ java blog โ€บ learning python โ€บ hashmap in python
HashMap in Python
November 13, 2024 - A HashMap is a data structure that stores key-value pairs. The key is a unique identifier, and the value is the data you want to store. In Python, the dictionary data type is the closest equivalent to a HashMap.
๐ŸŒ
Edureka
edureka.co โ€บ blog โ€บ hash-tables-and-hashmaps-in-python
Hash Tables and Hashmaps in Python | Hash Table vs Hashmap | Edureka
November 27, 2024 - Hash Tables and hasmaps in Python are a type of data structures that map keys to their value pairs. They are implemented through dictionaries.
๐ŸŒ
Analytics Vidhya
analyticsvidhya.com โ€บ home โ€บ a guide to python hashmaps
A Guide to Python HashMaps
June 7, 2024 - You can understand the inner workings of hash-based data structures by creating your own Hash Map in Python. A rudimentary implementation includes essential features like insertion, retrieval, deletion, and resizing. This approach uses open addressing for both dynamic scaling and collision resolution. class HashMap: def __init__(self, initial_capacity=8, load_factor=0.75): self.capacity = initial_capacity self.load_factor = load_factor self.size = 0 self.buckets = [None] * self.capacity def _hash(self, key): return hash(key) % self.capacity def _resize(self): old_buckets = self.buckets self.ca
๐ŸŒ
Medium
medium.com โ€บ @abasaeed โ€บ understanding-hash-maps-hash-tables-and-hash-sets-in-python-c0a78b1e131
Understanding Hash Maps, Hash Tables, and Hash Sets in Python | by Abdullah Saeed | Medium
July 27, 2023 - #Two Sum: For two sum for example the reason we can make use of a hashmap is because using a hash map, you can store the elements of the array along with their indices as key-value pairs. Then, while iterating through the array, you can quickly check if the complement (target minus the current element) exists in the hash map.
๐ŸŒ
CodeSignal
codesignal.com โ€บ learn โ€บ courses โ€บ revision-of-python-hashmaps-and-their-use-in-practice โ€บ lessons โ€บ essentials-of-hashmaps-in-python
Essentials of HashMaps in Python
Consider an oversized library of books. With HashMaps (which act like the library catalog), you'll quickly locate any book using a unique number (key)! ... Python implements HashMaps through dictionaries.
๐ŸŒ
Scaler
scaler.com โ€บ home โ€บ topics โ€บ hashmap in python
Hashmap in Python - Scaler Topics
January 29, 2024 - A hashmap, synonymous with a dictionary, efficiently links keys to their associated values. Essential in Python, understanding dictionaries equips one to utilize hashmaps effectively.
๐ŸŒ
Besant Technologies
besanttechnologies.com โ€บ home โ€บ blogs โ€บ general โ€บ hash tables and hashmaps in python
Hash Tables and Hashmaps in Python | Besant Technologies
October 7, 2021 - Hashmaps or Hash Tables in Python are implemented via the built-in data type. The keys of the built-in data type are generated with the help of a hashing function. The dictionary elements are not designed to be ordered and therefore they can ...
๐ŸŒ
Substack
jakubkrajewski.substack.com โ€บ p โ€บ implementing-a-hash-map-in-python
Implementing a Hash Map in Python: A Clean and Simple Approach
December 26, 2024 - It achieves this efficiency by computing a hash of the key, which is then used to determine the appropriate index in an underlying array (often referred to as a "bucket") where the corresponding value should be stored. This hashing technique ensures that operations can be performed in constant time, on average, making the HashMap a highly efficient structure for many applications. In this article, we'll build a simple hash map implementation in Python from scratch.
๐ŸŒ
W3Schools
w3schools.com โ€บ dsa โ€บ dsa_data_hashmaps.php
W3Schools.com
To implement a Hash Map in Python we create a class SimpleHashMap.
๐ŸŒ
Medium
medium.com โ€บ @philip.smalls86 โ€บ building-a-custom-hashmap-in-python-an-in-depth-look-f477fd2cbea8
Building a Custom HashMap in Python: An In-Depth Look | by Philip Smalls | Medium
October 11, 2024 - Hashmaps (or hash tables) are a key component of computer science, offering an efficient way to store key-value pairs. Their main strength is that they allow for fast lookups, insertions, and deletions by leveraging the power of hashing.
๐ŸŒ
Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/learnpython โ€บ hash maps vs. dictionaries
r/learnpython on Reddit: Hash Maps vs. Dictionaries
January 20, 2022 -

Hi all,

Working my way through a course on Data Structures right now and am beginning to learn about hash maps. Can someone explain to me what the difference is between a hash map and a regular, old dictionary? It seems like they both have a key:value pair and store that paired information, except the hash map seems way more complicated due to hash collisions and compression, etc, etc. The only thing I can think of is that it has something to do with efficiency? A hash map is more easily searchable and/or returns values faster?

Looking forward to replies. Thanks.