---
title: "Python If Else If Explained: A Guide to Conditional Logic"
description: "Discover the essentials of Python if else if with our concise guide. Enhance your coding with key insights to conditional logic, tailored for all skill levels."
canonical: "https://adamtheautomator.com/python-if-else-if/"
---

# Python If Else If Explained: A Guide to Conditional Logic

> Discover the essentials of Python if else if with our concise guide. Enhance your coding with key insights to conditional logic, tailored for all skill levels.

Source: https://adamtheautomator.com/python-if-else-if/

---

ATA Learning

Tap to hide

[

ATA Learning

](/)

*   [Home](/)
*   [Tutorials](/tutorials/)
*   [Instructors](/author/)
*   [Advertising](/advertising/)
*   [Recommended Resources](/resources/)
*   [About Adam](/about-adam/)

Search for:  

*   [](https://twitter.com/adbertram)
*   [](https://github.com/Adam-the-Automator)
*   [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/adam-the-automator-llc)
*   [](/feed/)

![Python If Else If Explained: A Guide to Conditional Logic](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/python-if-else-if.jpg)

# Python If Else If Explained: A Guide to Conditional Logic

[![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fc510e274a5e6eb1099f60b136d4cc804e9387b63960e935b69dd5af62c117ba?s=192&d=mm&r=g)Ravgeet Dhillon](https://adamtheautomator.com/author/ravgeet-dhillon/)26 December 20237 min. read

Categories: [Home Ops](/category/home-ops/)

Tags:[Python](/tag/python/)

Table of Contents

*   [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
*   [Testing for a Single Condition with the If Statement](#testing-for-a-single-condition-with-the-if-statement)
*   [Demonstrating a Simple If Statement in Code](#demonstrating-a-simple-if-statement-in-code)
*   [Covering All Outcomes with the Else Block](#covering-all-outcomes-with-the-else-block)
*   [Demonstrating a Simple If-Else Statement in Code](#demonstrating-a-simple-if-else-statement-in-code)
*   [Testing Additional Conditions With Python If Else If Statements](#testing-additional-conditions-with-python-if-else-if-statements)
*   [Demonstrating a If-ElseIf-Else Statements in Code](#demonstrating-a-if-elseif-else-statements-in-code)
*   [Dealing with Complex Conditional Logic with Nesting](#dealing-with-complex-conditional-logic-with-nesting)
*   [Demonstrating Nested If Statements in Code](#demonstrating-nested-if-statements-in-code)
*   [Mixing Up If Conditions with the or and and Operators](#mixing-up-if-conditions-with-the-or-and-and-operators)
*   [Demonstrating the or Logical Operator in an If Statement](#demonstrating-the-or-logical-operator-in-an-if-statement)
*   [Demonstrating the and Logical Operator in an If Statement](#demonstrating-the-and-logical-operator-in-an-if-statement)
*   [Conclusion](#conclusion)

Whether you are new to Python programming or returning to it after a break, you may need to learn or re-learn about decision-making and branching statements in Python. Decision-making and branching often involve using the Python _if_ _else if_, and _else_ statements and is one of the most essential concepts in computer programming.

In this tutorial, you will learn about different _if_, _else if_, _else_ scenarios that may arise while writing a [Python](https://adamtheautomator.com/python-loop/) program. Let’s start!

Related:[Understanding Python Loops and Flow Control for Newbies](https://adamtheautomator.com/python-loop/)

## Prerequisites

This tutorial will be a hands-on demonstration. You’ll learn through examples that may come up when coding a barebones Weather app. If you would like to follow along, be sure you have the following:

*   [Python 3](https://www.python.org/downloads/) is installed where this tutorial uses Python 3.8.
*   A code editor to run Python code, where [VS Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) is recommended.

Related:[How Do You Install Python 3.6?](https://adamtheautomator.com/install-python-36/)

## Testing for a Single Condition with the If Statement

As you write your programs, you will need your program to perform actions only when certain conditions are met. You will need to change the flow of your programs accordingly.

Let’s start with a construct that lets you change the flow of the code: the if statement. Let’s check how to perform actions by testing for a single condition.

An if statement executes code when the conditional statement evaluates to true. In Python, the `:` symbol comes after the condition as you can see in the syntax below.

```python
if condition:
    statement(s)
```

> _Be mindful of whitespaces (or the lack of them) in Python. Python employs whitespace [indentation](https://www.w3schools.com/python/gloss_python_indentation.asp) to form code blocks. Python interprets that statements with the same number of preceding whitespace as a block code._

In case the condition evaluates to false, the program skips the code contained under the if statement which then continues with the code after the if statement.

> _Python interprets all non-zero values as true and all other values as false._

When talking about decision-making and branching, flowcharts help you to understand the concept better. See the below flowchart for testing a single condition.

![Testing a single condition with if ](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-65.png)

Testing a single condition with if

### Demonstrating a Simple If Statement in Code

To better understand the concepts in the article, you will code for features that may be present in a barebones Weather App. The first feature will show a welcome message to the new users.

1\. Open your code editor, create a new file, save the file to a folder of your preference with the name _index.py_.

2\. Edit the _index.py_ file and add the following code. As you only want to present a message to new users, this will be the single condition tested. The if condition evaluates the `new_user` variable, and if true prints a welcome message to the console.

```python
# Set the new_user variable to True, indicating that the user is visiting the application for the first time
new_user = True

if new_user:
    print('Welcome to WeatherApp') # Prints a message to the new user 
```

3\. Run the _index.py_ Python program by executing the following command in your terminal as shown in the following screenshot.

```python
python3 index.py
```

![Executing a python script.](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-66.png)

Executing a python script.

## Covering All Outcomes with the Else Block

In the previous section, the code you developed only acted on a single condition. In your coding adventures, there will be times when you also need to execute a set of statements in case the first if condition evaluates to false.

When the first statement evaluates to false, an else statement executes a different block of code as a fallback. In the below syntax, `statement(s)_1` runs if the `condition` is `True`. If the `condition` evaluates to `False`, then `statement(s)_2` runs.

```python
if condition:
    statement(s)_1
else:
    statement(s)_2
```

To further illustrate this point, see the flowchart below.

![Flowchart for If-Else condition](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-67.png)

Flowchart for If-Else condition

### Demonstrating a Simple If-Else Statement in Code

Moving forward with the example of welcoming the user, you will now add a feature that will welcome old users back by displaying a welcome back message.

1\. Open your code editor and the previously created _index.py_ file.

2\. While editing the _index.py_ file update to the following code. Unlike before, here the `new_user` variable is set to `False` and triggering the else code block.

```python
# Set the new_user variable to False, indicating that the user is visiting the application again and triggering the else clause
new_user = False

if new_user:
    print('Welcome to WeatherApp') # Prints a message to the new user
else:
    print('Welcome Back') # Prints a message to the returning user
```

3\. Run the _index.py_ Python program by executing the following command in your terminal as shown in the following screenshot.

```python
python3 index.py
```

![The statement(s) in the else block run](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-68.png)

The statement(s) in the else block run

## Testing Additional Conditions With Python If Else If Statements

There will be times in programming when you need to check for multiple conditions and execute the corresponding code blocks. To that end, Python has the `elif`, else-if in plain English, keyword allowing additional conditional tests.

Python evaluates each condition in the order presented, starting with the initial if statement condition. When a condition evaluates as true, the corresponding code block runs, and all subsequent conditions are skipped. If no conditions evaluate as true, the else code block runs.

The syntax for if-elseif-else is as follows and as shown in the following flowchart.

```python
if condition1:
    statement(s)_1
elif condition2:
    statement(s)_2
else:
    statement(s)_3
```

![Flowchart for a Python if-elseif-else statement.](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-69.png)

Flowchart for a Python if-elseif-else statement.

### Demonstrating a If-ElseIf-Else Statements in Code

Back in the example Weather application, perhaps you want to add a feature to greet users with the text of “Good Morning”, “Good Afternoon”, or “Good Evening” determined by the time of day. In a real-world app, you would check the current hour of the day. To keep things simple, the code below assumes that the hour of the day is 15 (3 pm).

1\. Open your code editor and the previously created _index.py_ file.

2\. Replace the existing code with the below code example. Here the `hour` variable is set to the integer value of 15. The if statement first checks if the `hour` variable is less than 12 and displays “Good Morning”, next if the `hour` variable is less than 16 and displaying “Good Afternoon”, finally displaying “Good Evening” if the previous two conditions are false.

```python
# Create and set a variable to the integer value of 15 corresponding to 3 pm.
hour = 15

if hour < 12:
    print('Good Morning') # Display if the hour integer variable is less than 12
elif hour < 16:
    print('Good Afternoon') # Display if the hour integer variable is less than 16
else:
    print('Good Evening') # Display if the hour integer variable is not one of the above conditions
```

3\. Run the _index.py_ Python program by executing the following command in your terminal as shown in the following screenshot.

```python
python3 index.py
```

![Display the "Good Afternoon" text.](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-70.png)

Display the “Good Afternoon” text.

> _Since the code assumes a fixed hour, the output always displays “Good Afternoon”._

## Dealing with Complex Conditional Logic with Nesting

There will be times where you are working on a feature that requires complex conditional logic. In such cases, Python allows nesting of if-elseif-else statements.

To create nested if statements, add an additional if statement inside a code block for any outer if-elseif-else construct. You can nest as many if statements as you want as shown in the below example.

```python
if condition1:
    if condition2:
        statement(s)_1
    else:
        statement(s)_2
elif condition3:
    if condition4:
        statement(s)_3
else:
    statement(s)_4
```

### Demonstrating Nested If Statements in Code

In your Weather app, you will implement a feature to help the user deal with rain conditions. If there is little chance of rain, the user will not need to take any action. If there is some chance of rain, you will advise the user to take precautions based on how high the chance of rain is: taking an umbrella when going out or taking an Uber.

1\. Open your code editor and the previously created _index.py_ file.

2\. Replace the existing code with the below code example. The first if statement checks to see if the rain probability is greater than `0.2` or 20%. If the chance is greater than 20% evaluate the nested if statement to see if the rain probability is less than `0.5` or 50%. As the rain probably is `0.6`, the first if statement evaluates as true, and then the nested if statement evaluates as false ultimately displaying “Take an Uber” to the console.

```python
# Declare the variable rain_probability with the float (decimal) value of 0.6 (60%)
rain_probability = 0.6

if rain_probability >= 0.2: # If the change of rain is greater than 20% (0.2)
    if rain_probability < 0.5:
        print('Take an Umbrella when going out') # Display if the chance of rain is less than 50% (0.5)
    else:
        print('Take an Uber') # Display if the chance of rain is greater than 50% (0.5)
else:
    print('No rain') # Display if the chance of rain is less than 20% (0.2)
```

3\. Run the _index.py_ Python program by executing the following command in your terminal as shown in the following screenshot.

```python
python3 index.py
```

![Displaying the text "Take an Uber".](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-71.png)

Displaying the text “Take an Uber”.

## Mixing Up If Conditions with the `or` and `and` Operators

Up to this point, your if-elseif-else statements tested a single conditional statement. [Python logical operators](https://www.w3schools.com/python/gloss_python_logical_operators.asp), such as `or` and `and`, allow testing complex conditions. Logical operators combine two or more conditions and evaluate the entire condition as either true or false.

### Demonstrating the `or` Logical Operator in an If Statement

The first operator is the logical `or` operator which evaluates a statement as true when at least one of the conditions is true.

1\. Open your code editor and the previously created _index.py_ file.

2\. Replace the existing code with the below code example. The `today` variable is set to `Sunday` which the if statement evaluates whether the `today` variable contains either `Saturday` or `Sunday`. If one of those conditions is true, display the text “Enjoy your Weekend”.

```python
# Declare the today variable set to Sunday
today = 'Sunday'

# If the today variable is set to either Saturday or Sunday display the text
if today == 'Saturday' or today == 'Sunday':
    print('Enjoy your Weekend')
```

3\. Run the _index.py_ Python program by executing the following command in your terminal as shown in the following screenshot.

```python
python3 index.py
```

![Displaying the text "Enjoy your Weekend" while evaluating an or condition.](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-72.png)

Displaying the text “Enjoy your Weekend” while evaluating an or condition.

### Demonstrating the `and` Logical Operator in an If Statement

Now it is time for the second logical operator, `and`, demonstrated below. The `and` operator evaluates a statement as true when all of the conditions are true.

1\. Open your code editor and the previously created _index.py_ file.

2\. Replace the existing code with the below code example. Here two variables are declared, `user_type` and `is_user_logged_in`. The example demonstrates displaying the text “You can access the premium features” if both variables evaluate as true.

```python
# Declare the user_type variable and set to "pro"
user_type = 'pro'
# Declare the is_user_logged_in variable and set to True
is_user_logged_in = True

if is_user_logged_in and user_type == 'pro':
    print('You can access the premium features') # Display if both the is_user_logged_in variable is set to true and the user_type is equal to "pro"
```

Run the _index.py_ Python program by executing the following command in your terminal as shown in the following screenshot.

```python
python3 index.py
```

![Displaying the text "You can access the premium features" while evaluating an or condition.](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/image-73.png)

Displaying the text “You can access the premium features” while evaluating an or condition.

> _The examples presented here were as simple as possible. Don’t be fooled as you can evaluate more than two conditions together. It is also possible to use `or` and `and`_ _in conjunction!_

## Conclusion

This tutorial taught you how Python if else if statements function, along with different logical operators. You learned these concepts by implementing examples that may come in handy as you write more complex applications. Ready to take it to the next level? Check [Python loops and Flow control](https://adamtheautomator.com/python-loop/) next!

Share this article

[Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadamtheautomator.com%2Fpython-if-else-if%2F&text=Python%20If%20Else%20If%20Explained%3A%20A%20Guide%20to%20Conditional%20Logic)[Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fadamtheautomator.com%2Fpython-if-else-if%2F)[Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadamtheautomator.com%2Fpython-if-else-if%2F)

## Related Posts

![](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/How-to-Recall-Email-in-Outlook-Preventing-that-Oh-Crap-Moment.jpg)

### [How to Recall Email in Outlook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Undoing Mistakes](/recall-outlook-email/)

Learn how to recall Outlook email by understanding how Outlook recall works and how to implement it in this handy tutorial.

![](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/revo-uninstaller.jpg)

### [Optimize Windows System Performance Using Revo Uninstaller](/revo-uninstaller/)

Need to remove, clean up and d spring clean on your Windows 10 PC? IF so, learn how to clean house with Revo Uninstaller.

![](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/how-to-remotely-access-raspberry-pi-1.jpg)

### [Learn How to Remotely Access Raspberry PI Devices](/how-to-remotely-access-raspberry-pi/)

Make sure you can connect anywhere and learn how to remotely access Raspberry PI devices when you need to in this ATA Learning tutorial!

## Categories

*   [IT Ops](/category/it-ops/)
*   [Cloud](/category/cloud/)
*   [DevOps](/category/devops/)
*   [Home Ops](/category/home-ops/)
*   [Information Security](/category/infosec/)
*   [Software Development](/category/software-development/)

## Site

*   [Home](/)
*   [Tutorials](/tutorials/)
*   [Instructors](/author/)
*   [Advertising](/advertising/)
*   [Recommended Resources](/resources/)
*   [About Adam](/about-adam/)

Copyright 2026© ATA Learning | [Privacy Policy](/privacy/)