---
name: "playersNumber"
type: command
status: ok
groups: ["Multiplayer"]
arma3_since: "0.50"
locality: {"argument": null, "effect": null, "server_exec": false}
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/playersNumber
revid: 369133
updated: 2024-09-03T10:34:34Z
---

# playersNumber

*Command · Multiplayer · Arma 3 v0.50 · introduced in Operation Flashpoint v1.80*

## Description

Returns count of occupied role selection slots for given side. Players who claimed a slot in the lobby but did not start the mission are counted as well. If `disabledAI = 0;` in [description.ext](../topics/Description.ext.md#disabledai) or *Enable AI* option is checked in Eden Editor, AI bots will be treated as valid players and will be counted too.

## Syntax

```sqf
playersNumber side
```

**Parameters:**

- `side`: [Side](../topics/Side.md)

**Returns:** [Number](../topics/Number.md)

## Examples

### Example 1

```sqf
_west = playersNumber west;
_east = playersNumber east;
_civ = playersNumber civilian;
hint format ["West:%1 East:%2, Civ:%3", _west, _east, _civ];
```

## Multiplayer

**Multiplayer only**, in singleplayer it always returns 0.

## See also

[playableSlotsNumber](../commands/playableSlotsNumber.md) · [countSide](../commands/countSide.md) · [allPlayers](../commands/allPlayers.md) · [allUnits](../commands/allUnits.md)

## Community notes

**Nelis75733126** — 2015-04-13

**2024-04-16 edit:**

`playersNumber` returns playable AI as well as human players.

By default, a unit (placed down in the editor for example) ONLY becomes playable when the creator specifically checks the relevant checkbox.

In addition to the examples already given, this is how `playersNumber` can be used to get an array of players and playable AI on the same side as the side of the player:

```sqf
playersNumber playerSide;
```

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — playersNumber](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/playersNumber) (revision 369133).</sub>