Python Tutorial

Introduction

Python Data Types & Oper...

Python Strings

Python Lists

Python Tuples

Python Sets

Python Dictionaries

Conditional Statements

Python Loops

Python Functions

Python Modules

Python OOPS

Advanced Topics

File Handling

Edit Template

Home
/
Python Add List Items

Python Tutorial

Introduction

Python Data Types & Oper...

Python Strings

Python Lists

Python Tuples

Python Sets

Python Dictionaries

Conditional Statements

Python Loops

Python Functions

Python Modules

Python OOPS

Advanced Topics

File Handling

Edit Template

Home
/
Python Add List Items

Python Add Items to a List

Once you’ve created a list, Python gives you the power to grow it. Whether you’re adding a single item, placing something at a specific spot, or joining another collection — Python makes it flexible.

Let’s explore the main ways to add items to a list.

append() – Add to the End

This method adds a single item to the end of your list. Think of it as placing another book at the end of a shelf.

				
					colors = ["Pink", "Teal", "Navy"]
colors.append("Cyan")
print(colors)

Output:

				
					['Pink', 'Teal', 'Navy', 'Cyan']

You can keep using append() to keep stacking more values at the end.

insert() – Add at a Specific Position

What if you want to place an item at a specific index? That’s where insert() comes in. You tell Python the index and the item, and it fits it in exactly there.

				
					colors = ["Pink", "Teal", "Navy"]
colors.insert(1, "Cyan")
print(colors)

Output:

				
					['Pink', 'Cyan', 'Teal', 'Navy']

This does not overwrite anything. It simply shifts the existing items to the right.

extend() – Merge with Another Collection

Want to combine another list (or tuple, set, or even dictionary)? extend() is the way.

Example 1: Add one list to another

				
					colors = ["Pink", "Teal"]
extra_colors = ["Orange", "Magenta"]
colors.extend(extra_colors)
print(colors)

Output:

				
					['Pink', 'Teal', 'Orange', 'Magenta']

Slicing: Accessing a Range of Items

You can extract multiple items by slicing the list using:

				
					list[start : end : step]

Note: start is included, end is not. Step is optional.

Example 2: Add a tuple

				
					brands = ["Apple", "Samsung"]
more_brands = ("Xiaomi", "Oppo")
brands.extend(more_brands)
print(brands)

Output:

				
					['Apple', 'Samsung', 'Xiaomi', 'Oppo']

Example 3: Add a set

				
					devices = ["Laptop", "Tablet"]
others = {"Smartwatch", "Camera"}
devices.extend(others)
print(devices)

Output:

				
					['Laptop', 'Tablet', 'Camera', 'Smartwatch']

Example 4: Add a dictionary

Only the keys from a dictionary are added.

				
					students = ["Ali", "Sara"]
new_students = {"Ahsan": 20, "Sana": 19}
students.extend(new_students)
print(students)

Output:

				
					['Ali', 'Sara', 'Ahsan', 'Sana']

Using + to Join Lists

You can also use the + operator to concatenate two lists. This doesn’t modify the originals unless you store the result.

				
					first_half = ["Pink", "Teal"]
second_half = ["Orange", "Red"]
combined = first_half + second_half
print(combined)

Output:

				
					['Pink', 'Teal', 'Orange', 'Red']

Summary

Use append() to add one item at the end.
Use insert(index, item) to add at a specific spot.
Use extend() to merge another collection.
Use + when you want to quickly combine two lists.

These methods are your tools to build flexible and dynamic lists in Python.