#### Previous topic

numpy.dtype.itemsize

#### Next topic

numpy.dtype.flags

# numpy.dtype.byteorder

`dtype.``byteorder`

  A character indicating the byte-order of this data-type object.

  One of:

  ‘=’ | native
  ‘<’ | little-endian
  ‘>’ | big-endian
  ‘|’ | not applicable

  All built-in data-type objects have byteorder either ‘=’ or ‘|’.

  Examples

      >>> dt = np.dtype('i2')
      >>> dt.byteorder
      '='
      >>> # endian is not relevant for 8 bit numbers
      >>> np.dtype('i1').byteorder
      '|'
      >>> # or ASCII strings
      >>> np.dtype('S2').byteorder
      '|'
      >>> # Even if specific code is given, and it is native
      >>> # '=' is the byteorder
      >>> import sys
      >>> sys_is_le = sys.byteorder == 'little'
      >>> native_code = sys_is_le and '<' or '>'
      >>> swapped_code = sys_is_le and '>' or '<'
      >>> dt = np.dtype(native_code + 'i2')
      >>> dt.byteorder
      '='
      >>> # Swapped code shows up as itself
      >>> dt = np.dtype(swapped_code + 'i2')
      >>> dt.byteorder == swapped_code
      True