How to Stop a for Loop in Python

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  4. How to Stop a for Loop in Python
Najwa Riyaz Feb 02, 2024
Python Python Loop
  1. Use a break Statement to Stop a Python for Loop
  2. Wrap the Code in a Function, and Then Use the return Statement
  3. Raise an Exception to Stop a Python for Loop
How to Stop a for Loop in Python

This article introduces different methods to stop a for loop in Python.

Use a break Statement to Stop a Python for Loop

Use a break statement to stop a for loop in Python.

For example,

max = 4
counter = 0
for a in range(max):
    if counter == 3:
        print("counter value=3. Stop the for loop")
        break

    else:
        print("counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value=", counter)
        counter = counter + 1
        continue
    break

Output:

counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 0
counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 1
counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 2
counter value=3. Stop the for loop

Here, as long as the for loop criteria is met, the following print statement is printed. For example -

counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 0

However, once the counter value is equal to 3, it breaks out of the for loop. Hence, the for loop stops.

Wrap the Code in a Function, and Then Use the return Statement

Wrap the code in a function, and then use the return statement.

For example,

def fncreturn():
    return


max = 4
counter = 0
for a in range(max):
    if counter == 3:
        print("counter value=3. Stop the for loop")
        fncreturn()
    else:
        print("counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value=", counter)
        counter = counter + 1
        continue
    break

Output:

counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 0
counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 1
counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 2
counter value=3. Stop the for loop

Here, when the counter value reaches to 3, the function is called. The function has just a return statement. Post that, it helps exit from the for loop.

Raise an Exception to Stop a Python for Loop

Raise an exception to stop a for loop.

For example,

max = 4
counter = 0
try:
    for a in range(max):
        if counter == 3:
            print("counter value=3. Stop the for loop")
            raise StopIteration
        else:
            print("counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value=", counter)
            counter = counter + 1

except StopIteration:
    pass

Output:

counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 0
counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 1
counter value<3. Continue the for loop. Counter value= 2
counter value=3. Stop the for loop

Here, when the counter value reaches to 3, the exception is raised. Immediately it exits from the for loop.

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