Python Tuples
Tuple
A tuple is a collection which is ordered and unchangeable. In Python tuples are written with round brackets.
Access Tuple Items
You can access tuple items by referring to the index number, inside square brackets:
Example
Return the item in position 1:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(thistuple[1])
Run example »
Change Tuple Values
Once a tuple is created, you cannot change its values. Tuples are unchangeable.
Loop Through a Tuple
You can loop through the tuple items by using a for loop.
Example
Iterate through the items and print the values:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
for x in thistuple:
print(x)
Run example »
You will learn more about for loops in out Python For Loops Chapter.
Check if Item Exists
To determine if a specified item is present in a tuple use the in keyword:
Example
Check if "apple" is present in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
if "apple" in thistuple:
print("Yes, 'apple' is in the fruits tuple")
Run example »
Tuple Length
To determine how many items a tuple has, use the len() method:
Example
Print the number of items in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(len(thistuple))
Run example »
Add Items
Once a tuple is created, you cannot add items to it. Tuples are unchangeable.
Example
You cannot add items to a tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
thistuple[3] = "orange" # This will raise an error
print(thistuple)
Run example »
Remove Items
Note: You cannot remove items in a tuple.
Tuples are unchangeable, so you cannot remove items from it, but you can delete the tuple completely:
Example
The del keyword can delete the tuple
completely:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
del
thistuple
print(thistuple)
#this will raise an error because the tuple no longer exists
Run example »
The tuple() Constructor
It is also possible to use the tuple() constructor to make a tuple.
Example
Using the tuple() method to make a tuple:
thistuple = tuple(("apple", "banana", "cherry")) # note the double round-brackets
print(thistuple)
Run example »
Tuple Methods
Python has two built-in methods that you can use on tuples.
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| count() | Returns the number of times a specified value occurs in a tuple |
| index() | Searches the tuple for a specified value and returns the position of where it was found |
