C# | Array vs ArrayList Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes 20 Likes Like Report Arrays: An array is a group of like-typed variables that are referred to by a common name. Example: CSHARP // C# program to demonstrate the Arrays using System; class GFG { // Main Method public static void Main(string[] args) { // creating array int[] arr = new int[4]; // initializing array arr[0] = 47; arr[1] = 77; arr[2] = 87; arr[3] = 97; // traversing array for (int i = 0; i < arr.Length; i++) { Console.WriteLine(arr[i]); } } } Output:47 77 87 97 To read more about arrays please refer C# | Arrays ArrayList: ArrayList represents an ordered collection of an object that can be indexed individually. It is basically an alternative to an array. It also allows dynamic memory allocation, adding, searching and sorting items in the list. Example: CSHARP // C# program to illustrate the ArrayList using System; using System.Collections; class GFG { // Main Method public static void Main(string[] args) { // Create a list of strings ArrayList al = new ArrayList(); al.Add("Ajay"); al.Add("Ankit"); al.Add(10); al.Add(10.10); // Iterate list element using foreach loop foreach(var names in al) { Console.WriteLine(names); } } } Output:Ajay Ankit 10 10.1 To read more about ArrayList please refer C# | ArrayList Class Difference Between Array and ArrayListFeatureArrayArrayListMemoryThis has fixed size and can't increase or decrease dynamically.Size can be increase or decrease dynamically.NamespaceArrays belong to System.Array namespaceArrayList belongs to System.Collection namespace.Data TypeIn Arrays, we can store only one datatype either int, string, char etc.In ArrayList we can store different datatype variables.Operation SpeedInsertion and deletion operation is fast.Insertion and deletion operation in ArrayList is slower than an Array.TypedArrays are strongly typed which means it can store only specific type of items or elements.ArrayList are not strongly typed.nullArray cannot accept null.ArrayList can accepts null. Create Quiz Comment 29AjayKumar Follow 20 Improve 29AjayKumar Follow 20 Improve Article Tags : Technical Scripter C# Technical Scripter 2018 CSharp-Arrays Explore IntroductionC# Tutorial 2 min read Introduction to .NET Framework 6 min read C# .NET Framework (Basic Architecture and Component Stack) 6 min read C# Hello World 2 min read Common Language Runtime (CLR) in C# 4 min read FundamentalsC# Identifiers 2 min read Data Types in C# 6 min read C# Variables 4 min read C# Literals 5 min read Operators in C# 7 min read C# Keywords 5 min read Control StatementsC# Decision Making (if, if-else, if-else-if ladder, nested if, switch, nested switch) 5 min read C# Switch Statement 4 min read Loops in C# 4 min read C# Jump Statements (Break, Continue, Goto, Return and Throw) 4 min read OOP ConceptsClass and Objects in C# 4 min read Constructors in C# 5 min read C# Inheritance 3 min read Encapsulation in C# 2 min read C# Abstraction 4 min read MethodsMethods in C# 4 min read Method Overloading in C# 4 min read Method Parameters in C# 4 min read Method Overriding in C# 7 min read Anonymous Method in C# 2 min read ArraysArrays in C# 6 min read Jagged Arrays in C# 4 min read Array Class in C# 5 min read How to Sort an Array in C# | Array.Sort() Method Set - 1 8 min read How to find the rank of an array in C# 2 min read ArrayListArrayList in C# 6 min read ArrayList Class in C# 4 min read C# | Array vs ArrayList 2 min read StringStrings in C# 6 min read C# Verbatim String Literal - @ 5 min read C# String Class 9 min read C# StringBuilder 2 min read C# String vs StringBuilder 3 min read TupleC# Tuple 7 min read C# Tuple Class 3 min read C# ValueTuple 7 min read C# ValueTuple Struct 4 min read IndexersC# Indexers 5 min read C# Multidimensional Indexers 5 min read C# - Overloading of Indexers 3 min read Like