# Layers and layerMasks

> Resources for connecting layers to the Unity API, via layerMasks.

Unity APIs use layerMasks to define which layers the API can interact with.

| **Topic**                                                                                                                        | **Description**                                                                           |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [**Introduction to layerMasks**](/engine/6000.0/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers/and-layermasks/layermask-introduction.md) | Understand how the Unity API uses layerMasks to define which layers it can interact with. |
| [**Set a layerMask**](/engine/6000.0/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers/and-layermasks/layermask-set.md)                     | Set up a layerMask to use in API calls.                                                   |
| [**Add a layer to a layerMask**](/engine/6000.0/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers/and-layermasks/layermask-add.md)          | Add a new layer to a layerMask via script.                                                |
| [**Remove a layer from a layerMask**](/engine/6000.0/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers/and-layermasks/layermask-remove.md)  | Remove a layer from a layerMask via script.                                               |

## Additional resources

* [Tags and layers](/engine/6000.0/manual/unity-editor/editor-settings-reference/comp-manager-group/class-tag-manager.md)
* [Unity Learn: Unity Essentials](https://learn.unity.com/pathway/5f7bcab4edbc2a0023e9c38f)
* [Layers](/engine/6000.0/manual/working-with-gameobjects/layers.md)