How to Find the Length of List in Python?
Tags: python, programming, codenewbie, tutorial
Published: 2021-09-09 11:50:55

---
title: How to Find the Length of List in Python?
published: true
date: 2021-09-09 04:10:48 UTC
tags: #python #programming #codenewbie #tutorial
canonical_url: https://itsmycode.com/how-to-find-the-length-of-list-in-python/
---

ItsMyCode |

The list in Python is a collection datatype that is ordered and mutable. Lists allow you to store multiple elements in a single variable. A list can have duplicate elements as well. In this tutorial, we will learn how to **find the length of a list in Python** using different approaches.

## **List in Python**

A list in Python is a collection of items/values that can store one or more data types such as **string, integer, float,** etc. There are six other data types in Python. However, lists are the most commonly used data type in Python.

Lists are created using square brackets **`[]`**, and the elements in the list are separated using commas.

The list is defined as follows –

```python 
# List with integers
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# List with string
fruits = ["apple", "orange", "grapes"]
# List with mixed data type
mixedlist = [1, "Ninja", 55.22, False,"a"]

```

[![length of list python](https://cdn.itsmycode.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/image-2.png)](https://cdn.itsmycode.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/image-2.png)

## **How to Find the Length of List in Python?**

There are two approaches in Python to find length of list.

1. Using the built-in **`len()`** method
2. Iterating the elements in List

## Using the built-in len() method

Python has a built-in function to find the total number of items in a **list, arrays, tuple, dictionary** etc. 

The **`len()`** method accepts the list as an argument and returns the length of the list in Python.

**Syntax** –**` len(list)`**

**Example** –

The **`len() `**method is the most widely used and convenient way to get the length of the list in Python. The below example will print the length of a list.

```python 
# List with integers
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
# List with string
fruits = ["apple", "orange", "grapes"]
# List with mixed data type
mixedlist = [1, "Ninja", 55.22, False,"a"]

print("Length of numbers = ", len(numbers))
print("Length of fruits = ", len(fruits))
print("Length of mixed list = ", len(mixedlist))

# Output
Length of numbers = 5
Length of fruits = 3
Length of mixed list = 5
```

## Iterating the elements in List

The iteration method is a very simple way where you iterate the list using a **for loop** by setting a counter and incrementing the counter till you reach the last element.

If you do not want to use the built-in method and learn how it works behind the scenes, then you could probably use the iteration approach. You could also build your own method by using this approach.

```python 
mixedlist = [1, "Ninja", 55.22, False,"a"]

print("The current list is : ",mixedlist)

count=0
for i in mixedlist:
    count=count+1
print("Length of mixed list = ", count)

# Output
The current list is : [1, 'Ninja', 55.22, False, 'a']
Length of mixed list = 5
```

## Conclusion

In order to find the length of the list in Python, there are two approaches either you could use the built-in **`len()`** method, or you can use the iteration way, i.e., using for loop. I hope you have understood how to find the length of any list in Python.  

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