Removing Items from a List in Python: Using the Remove Method

Learn how to remove specific items from a Python list using the remove() method. This guide provides a practical example of how to delete an item from a list and see the updated list. Understand the syntax and application of the remove() method to manage list contents effectively.

Python - Remove List Items

Remove Specified Item

The remove() method removes the specified item from the list.

Example

Remove "banana":


mylist = ["grape", "banana", "kiwi"]
mylist.remove("banana")
print(mylist)
Output

["grape", "kiwi"]

If there are multiple items with the specified value, the remove() method removes the first occurrence:

Example

Remove the first occurrence of "banana":


mylist = ["grape", "banana", "kiwi", "banana", "melon"]
mylist.remove("banana")
print(mylist)
Output

["grape", "kiwi", "banana", "melon"]

Remove Specified Index

The pop() method removes the item at the specified index.

Example

Remove the second item:


mylist = ["grape", "banana", "kiwi"]
mylist.pop(1)
print(mylist)
Output

["grape", "kiwi"]

If you do not specify the index, the pop() method removes the last item.

Example

Remove the last item:


mylist = ["grape", "banana", "kiwi"]
mylist.pop()
print(mylist)
Output

["grape", "banana"]

Remove Specified Index with del Keyword

The del keyword also removes the item at the specified index.

Example

Remove the first item:


mylist = ["grape", "banana", "kiwi"]
del mylist[0]
print(mylist)
Output

["banana", "kiwi"]

The del keyword can also delete the list entirely.

Example

Delete the entire list:


mylist = ["grape", "banana", "kiwi"]
del (mylist)

Clear the List

The clear() method empties the list, but the list itself remains.

Example

Clear the list content:


mylist = ["grape", "banana", "kiwi"]
mylist.clear()
print(mylist)
Output

[]