Python List Methods

Python List Methods

Python List data type provides a set of methods that we can call on the list objects.

In this tutorial, you will learn about all of the Python List methods with description for each of them, and a well detailed example. Also, dedicated tutorials are written for each of the List methods. Link to the respective tutorial is provided at the end of each method.

1. List append() method

Python List append() method appends given object to the end of this list.

Python List append()

In the following program, we take a list of strings in my_list with some initial values. We have to append an object 'mango' to this list. Call append() method on the list my_list and pass the object 'list' as argument to the method.

my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
my_list.append('mango')
print(my_list)

Output

['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'mango']

2. List clear() method

Python List clear() method removes all the items from the list. The method makes the list empty.

Python List clear()

In the following program, we take a list my_list which is initialized with [52, 41, 63]. We have to make this list empty. Call clear() method on the list my_list, and the items in the list shall be cleared (removed).

my_list = [52, 41, 63]
my_list.clear()
print(my_list)

Output

[]

3. List copy() method

Python List copy() method creates a shallow copy of the list, and returns the copied list.

Python List copy()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with values [22, 44, 66]. We have to make a copy of this list. Call copy() method on the list my_list, and store the returned value in a variable.

my_list = [22, 44, 66]
my_list_copy = my_list.copy()
print(f"Original list : {my_list}")
print(f"Copied  list  : {my_list_copy}")

Output

Original list : [22, 44, 66]
Copied  list  : [22, 44, 66]

4. List count() method

Python List count() method counts the number of occurrences of specified value in the list, and returns that count.

Python List count()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with some string values. We have to count the number of occurrences of the value 'apple' in this list. Call count() method on the list my_list, and pass the value 'apple' as argument to the method.

my_list = ['apple', 'fig', 'apple', 'cherry']

count = my_list.count('apple')
print(f"Count : {count}")

Output

Count : 2

5. List extend() method

Python List extend() method extends the list with items from given iterable.

Python List extend()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with some string values. We have to extend this list with items from an another list another_list. Call extend() method on the list my_list, and pass another_list as argument to the method.

my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry']
another_list = ['mango', 'fig']

my_list.extend(another_list)
print(my_list)

Output

['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'mango', 'fig']

6. List index() method

Python List index() method is used to find the index (position) of the specified value in the list.

Python List index()

In the following program, we define a list my_list with four string values. We have to find the index of the value 'cherry' in this list. Call index() method on the list, and pass the value as argument.

my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'fig']
value_index = my_list.index('cherry')
print(f"Index : {value_index}")

Output

Index : 2

7. List insert() method

Python List insert() method inserts given object at specified index in the list.

Python List insert()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with some initial values. We have to insert the object 99 at index 3 in this list. Call insert() method on the list my_list, and pass the index and object as arguments to the method.

my_list = [11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66]
my_list.insert(3, 99)
print(my_list)

Output

[11, 22, 33, 99, 44, 55, 66]

8. List pop() method

Python List pop() method removes the object at specified index in the list.

Python List pop()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with some initial values. We have to remove the item at index 3 in this list. Call pop() method on the list my_list, and pass the index as argument to the method.

my_list = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12]
my_list.pop(3)  # index=3
print(my_list)

Output

[2, 4, 6, 10, 12]

9. List remove() method

Python List remove() method removes the first occurrence of specified item from the list.

Python List remove()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with some initial values. We have to remove the item with value 8 in this list. Call remove() method on the list my_list, and pass the value 8 as argument to the method.

my_list = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12]
my_list.remove(8)
print(my_list)

Output

[2, 4, 6, 10, 12]

10. List reverse() method

Python List reverse() method reverses the order of items in the list in place.

Python List reverse()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with values [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]. We have to reverse this list. Call reverse() method on the list my_list.

my_list = [2, 4, 6, 8, 10]
my_list.reverse()
print(my_list)

Output

[10, 8, 6, 4, 2]

11. List sort() method

Python List sort() method sorts the items in the list in place in ascending order.

Python List sort()

In the following program, we take a list my_list with numeric values. We have to sort this list of numbers in ascending order. Call sort() method on the list my_list, and pass no arguments.

my_list = [5, 3, 1, 6, 2, 4]
print(f"Original list : {my_list}")

my_list.sort()
print(f"Sorted list   : {my_list}")

Output

Original list : [5, 3, 1, 6, 2, 4]
Sorted list   : [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Summary

In this Python Lists tutorial, we learned about different methods that we call on list objects.