Python range() function

Last Updated : 13 Jan, 2026

The range() function in Python is used to generate a sequence of integers within a specified range. It is most commonly used in loops to control how many times a block of code runs.

Example: This example shows the use of range() to generate numbers starting from 0 up to (but not including) a given value.

Python 
for i in range(5):
    print(i, end=" ")

Output
0 1 2 3 4

Explanation:

  • range(5) generates numbers from 0 to 4
  • i takes one value at a time from the generated sequence

Syntax

range(start, stop, step)

Parameters:

  • start (optional): Starting number of the sequence (default is 0)
  • stop: Number at which the sequence stops (not included)
  • step (optional): Difference between consecutive numbers (default is 1)

Return: A range object representing the sequence

Examples

Example 1: This example generates numbers starting from a custom value and ending before another value.

Python 
for n in range(5, 10):
    print(n, end=" ")

Output
5 6 7 8 9

Explanation:

  • range(5, 10) starts at 5 and stops before 10
  • Numbers increase by the default step of 1

Example 2: This example generates even numbers by skipping values using a custom step size.

Python 
for v in range(0, 10, 2):
    print(v, end=" ")

Output
0 2 4 6 8

Explanation:

  • range(0, 10, 2) increases the value by 2 each time
  • The step controls how much the number changes per iteration

Example 3: This example demonstrates how range() can be used to generate numbers in reverse order by providing a negative step value.

Python 
for i in range(10, 0, -2):
    print(i, end=" ")

Output
10 8 6 4 2

Explanation:

  • range(10, 0, -2) starts from 10 and decreases by 2 each time
  • A negative step allows backward iteration through numbers
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