---
title: "5.13 Two-Dimensional Array Element Access"
description: "Individual elements of a two-dimensional array are accessed using two indices: the first specifies the row, and the second specifies the column. Both indices start at `0`. ``` #include int main(void) { int matrix[2][3] = { {10, 20, 30}, {40,…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/c-programming/arrays/5-13-two-dimensional-array-element-access/"
updated: "2026-10-27"
category: C Programming / Arrays
---

# 5.13 Two-Dimensional Array Element Access

Individual elements of a two-dimensional array are accessed using two indices: the first specifies the row, and the second specifies the column. Both indices start at `0`.

```
#include <stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
    int matrix[2][3] = {
        {10, 20, 30},
        {40, 50, 60}
    };

    printf("First row, second column: %dn", matrix[0][1]);
    printf("Second row, third column: %dn", matrix[1][2]);

    matrix[0][1] = 99;

    printf("Updated element: %dn", matrix[0][1]);

    return 0;
}
```

### Example Output

```
First row, second column: 20
Second row, third column: 60
Updated element: 99
```

### Explanation

The declaration creates an array with two rows and three columns:

```
int matrix[2][3] = {
    {10, 20, 30},
    {40, 50, 60}
};
```

The expression `matrix[0][1]` accesses the element in the first row and second column. The expression `matrix[1][2]` accesses the element in the second row and third column.

### Element Index Reference

| Expression | Row index | Column index | Value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `matrix[0][0]` | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| `matrix[0][1]` | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| `matrix[0][2]` | 0 | 2 | 30 |
| `matrix[1][0]` | 1 | 0 | 40 |
| `matrix[1][1]` | 1 | 1 | 50 |
| `matrix[1][2]` | 1 | 2 | 60 |

A nested loop can access every element:

```
for (int row = 0; row < 2; row++)
{
    for (int col = 0; col < 3; col++)
    {
        printf("%d ", matrix[row][col]);
    }

    printf("n");
}
```

The row index must remain between `0` and `1`, and the column index between `0` and `2`. Accessing an element outside either dimension results in undefined behavior.