std::cmp::PartialEq — Rust trait

What `PartialEq` does

PartialEq is a trait exposed by the std::cmp module of the Rust standard library. It is part of the public, stable API and you can rely on it from any edition of Rust.

As a trait, PartialEq defines an interface that other types can implement. Code generic over T: PartialEq can call any of its methods on values of any implementing type. The compiler monomorphises generic uses for zero-cost dispatch, while dyn PartialEq opts into runtime dispatch with a vtable. The full canonical path is std::cmp::PartialEq; bring it into scope with use std::cmp::PartialEq; or refer to it by its full path.

When to use it

Implement PartialEq on your own types to plug into the standard library's abstractions, or accept `T: PartialEq` as a generic bound on functions that can operate uniformly across every PartialEq-shaped type.

Annotated examples

Implementing PartialEq for your own type

use std::cmp::PartialEq;

struct MyType;

// Implementing a std trait is a contract — the compiler enforces every
// required method and associated type. Hover the trait in your editor
// to see the full list of required and provided methods.
impl PartialEq for MyType {
    // Required methods go here. Refer to the std::cmp::PartialEq docs
    // for the exact signatures.
}

Implementing a std trait integrates your type with every generic function and adapter that takes `T: PartialEq`. That single impl block can unlock dozens of free helper methods.

For deeper background, see the canonical Rust patterns reference for the broader context behind this section.

Calling generic code that requires PartialEq

use std::cmp::PartialEq;

// `T: PartialEq` is a trait bound — only types that implement PartialEq
// are accepted. The body can use any of PartialEq's methods, and the
// compiler monomorphises the function for each concrete T at the
// call site, so dispatch is always direct.
fn use_with_trait<T: PartialEq>(value: T) {
    let _ = value;
}

// Same idea with `impl Trait` for a single argument — equivalent
// when T appears only once in the signature.
fn observe(value: impl PartialEq) {
    let _ = value;
}

Trait bounds are the language's zero-cost generics. Each call site is monomorphised, so there is no virtual-dispatch overhead — `dyn PartialEq` is a separate, runtime-dispatch flavour you opt into explicitly when you need heterogeneous values.

Common pitfalls

Don't implement PartialEq for types that don't naturally satisfy its contract — implementing a trait dishonestly is one of the few ways Rust will compile but produce surprising behaviour at runtime. If you need dynamic dispatch, use `Box<dyn PartialEq>` or `&dyn PartialEq` instead of a generic parameter.

For deeper background, see an in-depth Rust idioms cheat sheet for the broader context behind this section.

Performance & threading notes

Generic uses (`T: PartialEq`) are monomorphised — each concrete T gets its own specialised function, with no virtual-dispatch overhead. `dyn PartialEq` adds a single indirection through a vtable, which is fast but blocks some compiler optimisations.

What PartialEq does