Python Data Types And Variables Explained

Leo Migdal

-Nov 17, 2025, 7:50 PM

python data types and variables explained

Data types in Python are a way to classify data items. They represent the kind of value, which determines what operations can be performed on that data. Since everything is an object in Python programming, Python data types are classes and variables are instances (objects) of these classes. The following are standard or built-in data types in Python: Below code assigns variable 'x' different values of few Python data types - int, float, list, tuple and string. Each assignment replaces previous value, making 'x' take on data type and value of most recent assignment.

Python numbers represent data that has a numeric value. A numeric value can be an integer, a floating number or even a complex number. These values are defined as int, float and complex classes. A sequence is an ordered collection of items, which can be of similar or different data types. Sequences allow storing of multiple values in an organized and efficient fashion. There are several sequence data types of Python:

W3Schools offers a wide range of services and products for beginners and professionals, helping millions of people everyday to learn and master new skills. Enjoy our free tutorials like millions of other internet users since 1999 Explore our selection of references covering all popular coding languages Create your own website with W3Schools Spaces - no setup required Test your skills with different exercises Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn and master, thanks to its simplicity and versatility.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer exploring Python for the first time, understanding its variables, data types, and input/output (I/O) is essential. In this blog, we’ll explore the fundamentals of Python programming, starting with variables, diving into the various data types, and mastering input/output operations. By the end, you’ll be equipped with a solid foundation to start your Python journey. A variable in Python is a symbolic name that represents a value stored in memory. Variables are used to store data, which can then be manipulated or retrieved. In Python, declaring a variable is as simple as assigning a value to it using the = operator.

There is no need to explicitly declare the type of the variable, as Python is dynamically typed. Variable names must start with a letter or an underscore (_). If you’re new to Python, one of the first things you’ll encounter is variables and data types. Understanding how Python handles data is essential for writing clean, efficient, and bug-free programs. This guide breaks everything down step by step, from variable naming rules to advanced concepts like mutability, truthiness, type conversion, and best practices. Whether you’re just starting with Python or refreshing your knowledge, this tutorial will help you master the fundamentals and avoid common mistakes.

By the end of this guide, you will know how to: ✅ Correct: total_count, max_items, API_KEY❌ Avoid: 1stItem, TotalCount, __hidden_var__ Python infers the variable type at runtime: Just getting started with Python? Python data types explained is one of the first things you’ll want to wrap your head around. Understanding how data works in Python gives you the building blocks to write code that actually does something.

This beginner-friendly guide walks through the main data types in Python, with simple examples you can try right away. You’ll get the hang of how Python handles different types of numbers, how to play with text using strings, and how to check or switch data types when needed. Every section includes hands-on code samples so you can see it all in action. <img decoding="async" src="https://openpython.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/uploaded-image-1.jpeg" alt="Python data types explained with examples"> Python data types explained really just means knowing the basic types of data you can use in the language. These are like the ingredients in a recipe.

Whether you’re dealing with numbers, words, files, or logic, Python gives you a type for it. Recommended Video CourseExploring Basic Data Types in Python Watch Now This tutorial has a related video course created by the Real Python team. Watch it together with the written tutorial to deepen your understanding: Exploring Basic Data Types in Python Python data types are fundamental to the language, enabling you to represent various kinds of data. You use basic data types like int, float, and complex for numbers, str for text, bytes and bytearray for binary data, and bool for Boolean values.

These data types form the core of most Python programs, allowing you to handle numeric, textual, and logical data efficiently. Understanding Python data types involves recognizing their roles and how to work with them. You can create and manipulate these data types using built-in functions and methods, and convert between them when necessary. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll understand that: Python comes with nine core data types that cover almost everything you’ll need. Choosing the right one makes your code clearer, faster, and safer.

This guide shows how each type works, when to use it, and what to watch out for. For a quick overview, also check our basics guide. Diagram of Python built-in data type categories and mutability. Python has three types for working with numbers, each designed for different situations. Strings hold text and are one of the most important types you’ll use. For more detailed string operations, see our manipulating strings guide.

Booleans represent True or False values - essential for making decisions in your code. Learn more about the bool() function. Created with over a decade of experience. Created with over a decade of experience and thousands of feedback. In computer programming, data types specify the type of data that can be stored inside a variable. For example,

Here, 24 (an integer) is assigned to the num variable. So the data type of num is of the int class. Since everything is an object in Python programming, data types are actually classes and variables are instances(object) of these classes.

Python Data Types And Variables Explained

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