Python String Slicing Techniques

Learn how to slice strings in Python to extract a range of characters. Use slice syntax to specify the start and end indices, and see examples of slicing strings from specific positions. Discover how to slice from the start of the string and obtain portions of the text.

Slicing

You can return a range of characters by using the slice syntax. Specify the start index and the end index, separated by a colon, to return a part of the string.

Example

Get the characters from position 2 to position 5 (not included):


b = "Hello, World!"
print(b[2:5])

Output

llo

Note: The first character has index 0.

Slice From the Start

By leaving out the start index, the range will start at the first character:

Example

Get the characters from the start to position 5 (not included):


b = "Hello, World!"
print(b[:5])

Output


Hello

Slice To the End

By leaving out the end index, the range will go to the end:

Example

Get the characters from position 2, and all the way to the end:


b = "Hello, World!"
print(b[2:])

Output


llo, World!

Negative Indexing

Use negative indexes to start the slice from the end of the string:

Example

Get the characters from "o" in "World!" (position -5) to, but not included, "d" in "World!" (position -2):


b = "Hello, World!"
print(b[-5:-2])

Output

orl