Python for Loop Explained with Examples

In Python, the for loop is used to iterate over a sequence (such as a list, tuple, dictionary, string, or a range of numbers). It's commonly used when you know how many times you want to loop.

Syntax

for variable in sequence:
    # block of code

• variable: A temporary name for the current item in the loop.
• sequence: The collection of items to loop over.

Example 1: Looping through a List

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]

for fruit in fruits:
    print(fruit)

Output:

apple
banana
cherry

Example 2: Looping with range()

The range() function generates a sequence of numbers.

for i in range(5):
    print(i)

Output:

0
1
2
3
4

range(5) means from 0 to 4 (5 is not included).

Example 3: Using range(start, stop, step)

for i in range(1, 10, 2):
    print(i)

Output:

1
3
5
7
9

Example 4: Looping through a String

for char in "Python":
    print(char)

Output:

P
y
t
h
o
n

Example 5: Using for with else

for i in range(3):
    print(i)
else:
    print("Loop finished!")

Output:

0
1
2
Loop finished!

Example 6: Nested for Loops

for i in range(1, 3):
    for j in range(1, 4):
        print(f"i={i}, j={j}")

Output:

i=1, j=1
i=1, j=2
i=1, j=3
i=2, j=1
i=2, j=2
i=2, j=3

Example 7: for Loop with Dictionary

person = {"name": "Alice", "age": 25}

for key, value in person.items():
    print(key, "=", value)

Output:

name = Alice
age = 25