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Access List Items

Accessing list items is a core concept in Python. Because lists are ordered, every item has a fixed position (index) that can be used to read data efficiently.
This topic covers basic to advanced ways of accessing list elements.

List Indexing Basics

List items are accessed using index numbers. Indexing in Python starts from 0.
python
fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"]
print(fruits[0])
python
print(fruits[1])
python
print(fruits[2])

Negative Indexing

Negative indexing allows access from the end of the list.
IndexMeaning
-1Last item
-2Second last item
python
colors = ["red", "green", "blue"]
print(colors[-1])
python
print(colors[-2])
python
print(colors[-3])

Accessing a Range of Items (Slicing)

Slicing allows you to access multiple items at once.

Syntax

python
list[start : end]
  • start is inclusive
  • end is exclusive
python
numbers = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
print(numbers[1:4])
python
print(numbers[:3])
python
print(numbers[3:])

Slicing with Negative Indexes

python
numbers = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
print(numbers[-4:-1])
python
print(numbers[-3:])
python
print(numbers[:-2])

Accessing with Step Value

You can control how many items to skip using step.

Syntax

python
list[start : end : step]
python
numbers = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
print(numbers[::2])
python
print(numbers[1::2])
python
print(numbers[::-1])

Accessing List Items Using Loop

Using for Loop

python
colors = ["red", "green", "blue"]

for color in colors:
    print(color)

Using Index with range()

python
for i in range(len(colors)):
    print(colors[i])

Accessing Nested List Items

Lists can contain other lists (nested lists).
python
matrix = [
    [1, 2, 3],
    [4, 5, 6],
    [7, 8, 9]
]

print(matrix[0])
python
print(matrix[1][2])
python
print(matrix[2][0])

Accessing List Items Using Conditions

python
numbers = [10, 20, 30, 40]

if 20 in numbers:
    print("20 exists in the list")
python
if numbers[0] > numbers[1]:
    print("First is greater")

Accessing Items with Unpacking

You can unpack list values into variables.
python
data = [10, 20, 30]
a, b, c = data

print(a)
print(b)
print(c)

Extended Unpacking

python
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
a, *b, c = numbers

print(a)
print(b)
print(c)

Index Out of Range Error (Important)

Accessing an index that does not exist raises an error.
python
numbers = [1, 2, 3]
# print(numbers[5])
Error:
text
IndexError: list index out of range

Safe Way to Access

python
index = 5
if index < len(numbers):
    print(numbers[index])

Common Mistakes

Assuming Index Starts from 1

python
numbers = [10, 20, 30]
print(numbers[1])  # This is second element

Confusing Slicing End Index

python
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
print(numbers[1:3])  # Does NOT include index 3

Summary

  • Lists use zero-based indexing
  • Negative indexing accesses items from the end
  • Slicing returns multiple items
  • Step value controls skipping
  • Nested lists require multiple indexes
  • Accessing invalid index raises IndexError
  • Unpacking is a powerful access technique