Get the type referenced by the specified type handle in C#

To get the type referenced by the specified type handle in C#, you use the Type.GetTypeFromHandle() method. This method takes a RuntimeTypeHandle and returns the corresponding Type object. Type handles provide a lightweight way to represent types at runtime and are commonly used in low-level reflection scenarios.

Syntax

Following is the syntax for getting a type handle and retrieving the type −

RuntimeTypeHandle typeHandle = Type.GetTypeHandle(object);
Type type = Type.GetTypeFromHandle(typeHandle);

Parameters

• handle − The RuntimeTypeHandle structure that refers to the type.

Return Value

Returns the Type referenced by the specified RuntimeTypeHandle, or null if the handle is invalid.

Using Type.GetTypeFromHandle() with Value Types

Example

using System;

public class Demo {
   public static void Main() {
      Type type1 = typeof(short);
      RuntimeTypeHandle typeHandle = Type.GetTypeHandle(type1);
      Type type = Type.GetTypeFromHandle(typeHandle);
      Console.WriteLine("Type Name = " + type.Name);
      Console.WriteLine("Full Name = " + type.FullName);
      Console.WriteLine("Attributes = " + type.Attributes);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Type Name = Int16
Full Name = System.Int16
Attributes = AutoLayout, AnsiClass, Class, Public, SequentialLayout, Sealed, Serializable, BeforeFieldInit

Using Type.GetTypeFromHandle() with Reference Types

Example

using System;

public class Demo {
   public static void Main() {
      Type type1 = typeof(System.String);
      RuntimeTypeHandle typeHandle = Type.GetTypeHandle(type1);
      Type type = Type.GetTypeFromHandle(typeHandle);
      Console.WriteLine("Type Name = " + type.Name);
      Console.WriteLine("Full Name = " + type.FullName);
      Console.WriteLine("Is Class = " + type.IsClass);
      Console.WriteLine("Is Value Type = " + type.IsValueType);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Type Name = String
Full Name = System.String
Is Class = True
Is Value Type = False

Using Type.GetTypeFromHandle() with Custom Types

Example

using System;

public class Student {
   public string Name { get; set; }
   public int Age { get; set; }
}

public class Demo {
   public static void Main() {
      Student student = new Student();
      RuntimeTypeHandle typeHandle = Type.GetTypeHandle(student);
      Type type = Type.GetTypeFromHandle(typeHandle);
      Console.WriteLine("Type Name = " + type.Name);
      Console.WriteLine("Namespace = " + type.Namespace);
      Console.WriteLine("Assembly = " + type.Assembly.GetName().Name);
   }
}

The output of the above code is −

Type Name = Student
Namespace = 
Assembly = 6be7bb64-7b8b-4c0c-8306-bfa8b8108efc

Common Use Cases

• Performance optimization − Type handles are more efficient than storing Type objects in performance-critical scenarios.

• Serialization − Type handles can be used to store type information in a compact format.

• Reflection caching − Storing type handles instead of Type objects can reduce memory overhead.

• Interoperability − Type handles are used in low-level scenarios when working with unmanaged code.

Conclusion

The Type.GetTypeFromHandle() method allows you to retrieve a Type object from a RuntimeTypeHandle. This is useful for performance-critical applications, serialization scenarios, and when working with reflection where type handles provide a more lightweight alternative to storing full Type objects.