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How to Reverse a String in Python


Learn how to reverse a String in Python.


There is no built-in function to reverse a String in Python.

The fastest (and easiest?) way is to use a slice that steps backwards, -1.

Example

Reverse the string "Hello World":

txt = "Hello World"[::-1]
print(txt)
Run example »

Example Explained

We have a string, "Hello World", which we want to reverse:

The String to Reverse

txt = "Hello World"[::-1]
print(txt)

Create a slice that starts at the end of the string, and moves backwards.

In this particular example, the slice statement [::-1] is the same as [11:0:-1] which means start at position 11 (because "Hello "World" has 11 characters), end at position 0, move with the step -1, negative one, which means one step backwards.

Slice the String

txt = "Hello World"[::-1]
print(txt)

Now we have a string txt that reads "Hello World" backwards.

Print the String to demonstrate the result

Print the List

txt = "Hello World"[::-1]
print(txt)


Create a Function

If you like to have a function where you can send your strings, and return them backwards, you can create a function and insert the code from the example above.

Example

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1]

mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")

print(mytxt)
Run example »

Example Explained

Create a function that takes a String as an argument.

Create a Function

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1]

mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")

print(mytxt)

Slice the string starting at the end of the string and move backwards.

Slice the String

def my_function(x):
  return x
[::-1]

mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")

print(mytxt)

Return the backward String

Return the String

def my_function(x):
 
return x[::-1]

mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")

print(mytxt )

Call the function, with a string as a parameter:

Call the Function

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1]

mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")

print(mytxt)

Print the result:

Print the Result

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1]

mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")

print(mytxt)