How to Get the N-Largest Values of an Array using NumPy Last Updated : 27 Sep, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes 2 Likes Like Report The numpy.argsort() function can be used to find the n-largest values in an array. Instead of directly returning the sorted array, argsort() returns the indices that would sort the array. Using these indices with slicing, we can extract the top n largest elements efficiently.In this example, we extract the 1 largest value from a NumPy array. Python import numpy as np arr = np.array([5, 1, 8, 3]) n = 1 idx = np.argsort(arr) res = arr[idx][-n:] print(n, "largest value:", res) Output1 largest value: [8] Explanation:np.argsort(arr) -> returns indices [1, 3, 0, 2]Sorting gives [1, 3, 5, 8]Last element -> [8]Syntaxnumpy.argsort(arr, axis=-1, kind='quicksort', order=None)Parameters:arr: Input array.axis: Axis along which to sort. Default is -1 (last axis).kind: Sorting algorithm ('quicksort', 'mergesort', 'heapsort', 'stable').order: When sorting structured arrays, specifies field(s) to sort by.Return Value:Returns an array of indices that would sort arr.Using these indices, we can reconstruct the sorted array or extract top n elements.ExamplesExample 1: This example extracts the 2 largest values from a NumPy array. Python import numpy as np arr = np.array([2, 0, 1, 5, 4, 1, 9]) print("Array:", arr) idx = np.argsort(arr) sorted_arr = arr[idx] n = 2 res = sorted_arr[-n:] print(n, "largest values:", res) OutputArray: [2 0 1 5 4 1 9] 2 largest values: [5 9] Explanation:Sorted array -> [0, 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 9].Last 2 elements -> [5, 9].Example 2: This example extracts the top 3 values from a NumPy array. Python import numpy as np arr = np.array([2, 0, 1, 5, 4, 1, 9]) print("Array:", arr) idx = np.argsort(arr) sorted_arr = arr[idx] n = 3 res = sorted_arr[-n:] print(n, "largest values:", res) OutputArray: [2 0 1 5 4 1 9] 3 largest values: [4 5 9] Explanation:Sorted array -> [0, 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 9].Last 3 elements -> [4, 5, 9].Example 3: This example shows how to flatten a 2D array and find the 2 largest values. Python import numpy as np arr = np.array([[3, 7, 1], [9, 2, 6]]) print("2D Array:\n", arr) idx = np.argsort(arr, axis=None) sorted_arr = arr.flatten()[idx] n = 2 res = sorted_arr[-n:] print(n, "largest values:", res) Output2D Array: [[3 7 1] [9 2 6]] 2 largest values: [7 9] Explanation:Flattened array -> [3, 7, 1, 9, 2, 6].Sorted array -> [1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9].Last 2 values -> [7, 9]. Create Quiz Comment A ankthon Follow 2 Improve A ankthon Follow 2 Improve Article Tags : Python Python-numpy Python numpy-program Python numpy-Mathematical Function Explore Python FundamentalsPython Introduction 2 min read Input and Output in Python 4 min read Python Variables 4 min read Python Operators 4 min read Python Keywords 2 min read Python Data Types 8 min read Conditional Statements in Python 3 min read Loops in Python - For, While and Nested Loops 5 min read Python Functions 5 min read Recursion in Python 4 min read Python Lambda Functions 5 min read Python Data StructuresPython String 5 min read Python Lists 4 min read Python Tuples 4 min read Python Dictionary 3 min read Python Sets 6 min read Python Arrays 7 min read List Comprehension in Python 4 min read Advanced PythonPython OOP Concepts 11 min read Python Exception Handling 5 min read File Handling in Python 4 min read Python Database Tutorial 4 min read Python MongoDB Tutorial 3 min read Python MySQL 9 min read Python Packages 10 min read Python Modules 3 min read Python DSA Libraries 15 min read List of Python GUI Library and Packages 3 min read Data Science with PythonNumPy Tutorial - Python Library 3 min read Pandas Tutorial 4 min read Matplotlib Tutorial 5 min read Python Seaborn Tutorial 3 min read StatsModel Library - Tutorial 3 min read Learning Model Building in Scikit-learn 6 min read TensorFlow Tutorial 2 min read PyTorch Tutorial 6 min read Web Development with PythonFlask Tutorial 8 min read Django Tutorial | Learn Django Framework 7 min read Django ORM - Inserting, Updating & Deleting Data 4 min read Templating With Jinja2 in Flask 6 min read Django Templates 5 min read Build a REST API using Flask - Python 3 min read Building a Simple API with Django REST Framework 3 min read Python PracticePython Quiz 1 min read Python Coding Practice 1 min read Python Interview Questions and Answers 15+ min read Like