> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/python/cpython/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Memory Management

> Python memory management and allocators

## Overview

Python provides specialized memory allocators for different purposes:

1. **Raw** - System allocator wrappers (no GIL required)
2. **Mem** - Python heap (GIL required)
3. **Object** - Python objects only

## Memory Domains

### Raw Memory

```c theme={null}
void* PyMem_RawMalloc(size_t size)
void* PyMem_RawRealloc(void *ptr, size_t new_size)
void PyMem_RawFree(void *ptr)
```

For buffers, no GIL required.

### Python Memory

```c theme={null}
void* PyMem_Malloc(size_t size)
void* PyMem_Realloc(void *ptr, size_t new_size)
void PyMem_Free(void *ptr)
```

For Python-managed memory.

### Object Memory

```c theme={null}
void* PyObject_Malloc(size_t size)
void PyObject_Free(void *ptr)
```

<Warning>
  **Free-threaded builds:** Only use `PyObject_*` for Python objects, not buffers!
</Warning>

## Memory Errors

```c theme={null}
PyObject* PyErr_NoMemory(void)
```

Set MemoryError exception.

**Example:**

```c theme={null}
void *buf = PyMem_Malloc(size);
if (buf == NULL)
    return PyErr_NoMemory();
```

## Best Practices

<Warning>
  Never mix allocators:

  ```c theme={null}
  // WRONG:
  void *p = PyMem_Malloc(100);
  free(p);  // Wrong deallocator!

  // RIGHT:
  void *p = PyMem_Malloc(100);
  PyMem_Free(p);
  ```
</Warning>

## See Also

* [Allocation](/c-api/allocation)
* [Reference Counting](/c-api/refcounting)