Python Basics

Get a jump-start on your Python career with our tutorials designed for beginners.

On this page you’ll find fundamental concepts for Python beginners that will help you get started on your journey to learn Python. These tutorials focus on the absolutely essential things you need to know about Python.

We’re super passionate about teaching with articles and tutorials here on realpython.com—and we’d love to help you, too! Once you’re ready to move on to the next stage, check out our intermediate Python tutorials.

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Get a Python Cheat Sheet (PDF) and learn the basics of Python 3, like working with data types, dictionaries, lists, and Python functions:

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The best way to get started is with our Python Basics Book:

Python Basics Book

Learning Path

Python Basics Book

19 Resources ⋅ Skills: Python 3 Fundamentals, Real-World Projects

Python Basics is for people who want to learn Python programming—whether you are a complete beginner to programming, or a developer with experience in another language.

Python Keywords: An Introduction

Python Keywords: An Introduction

Jun 15, 2020 basics python

Understanding the Python Traceback

Getting the Most Out of a Python Traceback

Jun 09, 2020 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Regular Expressions: Regexes in Python (Part 2)

Jun 03, 2020 basics python

Using the Python zip() Function for Parallel Iteration

Parallel Iteration With Python's zip() Function

Jun 02, 2020 basics python

What Is pip? A Guide for New Pythonistas

A Beginner's Guide to Pip

May 26, 2020 basics tools

Python Pit Stop

Convert a Python String to int

May 19, 2020 basics python

The Ultimate Guide to Python Print

The Python print() Function: Go Beyond the Basics

May 05, 2020 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Regular Expressions: Regexes in Python (Part 1)

Apr 29, 2020 basics python

Python Application Layouts and Project Structures

Structuring a Python Application

Apr 28, 2020 basics best-practices python

Python Pit Stop

How to Use any() in Python

Mar 30, 2020 basics python

Using the Python defaultdict Type for Handling Missing Keys

Using the Python defaultdict Type for Handling Missing Keys

Mar 11, 2020 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Defining Your Own Python Function

Mar 09, 2020 basics python

How to Implement a Python Stack

How to Implement a Python Stack

Mar 03, 2020 basics python

The Beginner's Guide to Python Turtle

The Beginner's Guide to Python Turtle

Feb 26, 2020 basics python

Introduction to Python SQL Libraries

Introduction to Python SQL Libraries

Feb 24, 2020 basics databases tools

Null in Python: Understanding Python's NoneType Object

Null in Python: Understanding Python's NoneType Object

Feb 19, 2020 basics python

Python IDEs and Code Editors: The Complete Guide

Finding the Perfect Python Code Editor

Feb 18, 2020 basics tools

Introduction to Python 3

A Guide to the Newer Python String Format Techniques

Feb 17, 2020 basics python

Playing and Recording Sound in Python

Playing and Recording Sound in Python

Feb 11, 2020 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Sets in Python

Feb 04, 2020 basics python

Python Best Practices Artwork

Python Modules and Packages: An Introduction

Jan 28, 2020 basics python

Python GUI Programming With Tkinter

Python GUI Programming With Tkinter

Jan 22, 2020 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Basic Data Types in Python

Jan 21, 2020 basics python

Using Pandas and Python to Explore Your Dataset

Using Pandas and Python to Explore Your Dataset

Jan 06, 2020 basics data-science

How to Use sorted() and sort() in Python

Sorting Data With Python

Dec 31, 2019 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Variables in Python

Dec 10, 2019 basics python

Python KeyError Exceptions and How to Handle Them

Python KeyError Exceptions and How to Handle Them

Nov 26, 2019 basics python

Invalid Syntax in Python: Common Reasons for SyntaxError

Invalid Syntax in Python: Common Reasons for SyntaxError

Nov 20, 2019 basics python

Getting Started With Python IDLE

Getting Started With Python IDLE

Nov 13, 2019 basics python

When to Use a List Comprehension in Python

When to Use a List Comprehension in Python

Nov 06, 2019 basics python

Python Matplotlib

Python Plotting With Matplotlib

Oct 22, 2019 basics data-science

Python's range() Function

The Python range() Function

Oct 15, 2019 basics python

Get Started With Django Part 1: Build a Portfolio App

Get Started With Django: Build a Portfolio App

Oct 08, 2019 basics django web-dev

Using the Python zip() Function for Parallel Iteration

Using the Python zip() Function for Parallel Iteration

Oct 02, 2019 basics python

Core Python Tutorials Artwork

Strings and Character Data in Python

Oct 01, 2019 basics python

Thonny: The Beginner-Friendly Python Editor

Thonny: The Beginner-Friendly Python Editor

Sep 24, 2019 basics tools

Python Pit Stop

How to Convert a Python String to int

Sep 18, 2019 basics python

MATLAB vs Python: Why and How to Make the Switch

MATLAB vs Python: Why and How to Make the Switch

Sep 09, 2019 basics best-practices data-science

Introduction to Python 3

Lists and Tuples in Python

Sep 03, 2019 basics python

Python Histogram Plots

Python Histogram Plotting: NumPy, Matplotlib, Pandas & Seaborn

Aug 20, 2019 basics data-science

An Effective Python Environment: Making Yourself at Home

An Effective Python Environment: Making Yourself at Home

Aug 14, 2019 basics tools

The Ultimate Guide to Python Print

Your Guide to the Python print() Function

Aug 12, 2019 basics python

Beginner Tips for Learning Python

11 Beginner Tips for Learning Python

Aug 06, 2019 basics python

How to Iterate Through a Dictionary in Python

Dictionaries in Python

Jul 30, 2019 basics python

Understanding the Python Traceback

Understanding the Python Traceback

Jul 29, 2019 basics python

Python Best Practices Artwork

How to Write Pythonic Loops

Jul 16, 2019 basics best-practices python

Python Pit Stop

The Python Square Root Function

How to Use the Python or Operator

How to Use the Python or Operator