+++ slug = "loop-else" title = "Loop Else" section = "Control Flow" summary = "A loop else block runs only when the loop did not end with break." doc_path = "/tutorial/controlflow.html#else-clauses-on-loops" see_also = [ "break-and-continue", "for-loops", "while-loops", ] +++

Python loops can have an else clause. The name is surprising at first: loop else means “no break happened,” not “the loop condition was false.”

This is useful for searches. Put the successful early exit in break, then put the not-found path in else.

Use loop else sparingly. It is clearest when the loop is visibly searching for something.

:::program

names = ["Ada", "Grace", "Guido"]

for name in names:
    if name == "Grace":
        print("found")
        break
else:
    print("missing")

for name in names:
    if name == "Linus":
        print("found")
        break
else:
    print("missing")

:::

:::cell If the loop reaches break, the else block is skipped. This branch means the search succeeded early.

names = ["Ada", "Grace", "Guido"]

for name in names:
    if name == "Grace":
        print("found")
        break
else:
    print("missing")

found

:::

:::cell If the loop finishes without break, the else block runs. This branch means the search examined every value and found nothing.

for name in names:
    if name == "Linus":
        print("found")
        break
else:
    print("missing")

missing

:::

:::note

• Loop else runs when the loop was not ended by break.
• It is best for search loops with a clear found/not-found split.
• It works with both for and while loops. :::