---
title: "getnilinstances"
description: "Lists cached instances whose Parent is nil."
---

```lua
getnilinstances(): {Instance}?
```

---

## Aliases

None.

---

## Arguments

This function takes no arguments.

---

## Returns

<ResponseField name="instances" type="{Instance}?">
  Cached instances with Parent=nil, or nil if the cache is unavailable.
</ResponseField>

Returns nil if the required registry cache table is unavailable.

**Related types:** [Instances types & behavior](/reference/instances/types).

---

## Example

```lua
local instances = getnilinstances() or {}
print("Unparented instances:", #instances)
```