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.

When to Use a List Comprehension in Python

Understanding Python List Comprehensions

Mar 30, 2021 basics python

Common Python Data Structures (Guide)

Records and Sets: Selecting the Ideal Data Structure

Mar 23, 2021 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Navigating Namespaces and Scope in Python

Mar 02, 2021 basics python

Common Python Data Structures (Guide)

Dictionaries and Arrays: Selecting the Ideal Data Structure

Feb 23, 2021 basics python

Python Modulo in Practice: How to Use the % Operator

Python Modulo: Using the % Operator

Feb 09, 2021 basics python

How to Use Python: Your First Steps

How to Use Python: Your First Steps

Jan 25, 2021 basics python

C for Python Programmers

C for Python Programmers

Jan 20, 2021 basics python

Make Your First Python Game: Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Make Your First Python Game: Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Jan 18, 2021 basics python

NumPy Tutorial: Your First Steps Into Data Science in Python

NumPy Tutorial: Your First Steps Into Data Science in Python

Jan 11, 2021 basics data-science

Python's .append(): Add Items to Your Lists in Place

Python's .append(): Add Items to Your Lists in Place

Jan 04, 2021 basics python

The pass Statement: How to Do Nothing in Python

The pass Statement: How to Do Nothing in Python

Dec 16, 2020 basics python

The Beginner's Guide to Python Turtle

Python Turtle for Beginners

Dec 15, 2020 basics python

What Is Data Engineering and Is It Right for You?

What Is Data Engineering and Is It Right for You?

Dec 14, 2020 basics

Introduction to Python 3

Formatting Python Strings

Nov 24, 2020 basics python

Python enumerate(): Simplify Looping With Counters

Python enumerate(): Simplify Looping With Counters

Nov 18, 2020 basics best-practices

Introduction to Python 3

Regular Expressions and Building Regexes in Python

Nov 17, 2020 basics python

Using the Python defaultdict Type for Handling Missing Keys

Handling Missing Keys With the Python defaultdict Type

Nov 10, 2020 basics python

Python Modulo in Practice: How to Use the % Operator

Python Modulo in Practice: How to Use the % Operator

Oct 26, 2020 basics python

Python's map(): Processing Iterables Without a Loop

Python's map(): Processing Iterables Without a Loop

Sep 30, 2020 basics best-practices python

The Python return Statement: Usage and Best Practices

The Python return Statement: Usage and Best Practices

Sep 28, 2020 basics best-practices python

Numbers in Python

Numbers in Python

Sep 16, 2020 basics python

Find & Fix Code Bugs in Python: Debug With IDLE

Find & Fix Code Bugs in Python: Debug With IDLE

Sep 09, 2020 basics python

Python 3 Installation & Setup Guide

Python 3 Installation & Setup Guide

Aug 31, 2020 basics best-practices python

Common Python Data Structures (Guide)

Common Python Data Structures (Guide)

Aug 26, 2020 basics python

Invalid Syntax in Python: Common Reasons for SyntaxError

Identify Invalid Python Syntax

Aug 11, 2020 basics python

Working With Files in Python

Practical Recipes for Working With Files in Python

Aug 04, 2020 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Namespaces and Scope in Python

Jul 29, 2020 basics python

Null in Python: Understanding Python's NoneType Object

Python's None: Null in Python

Jul 28, 2020 basics python

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

basics python

Using the Python defaultdict Type for Handling Missing Keys

Using the Python defaultdict Type for Handling Missing Keys

basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Defining Your Own Python Function

basics python

How to Implement a Python Stack

How to Implement a Python Stack

basics python

The Beginner's Guide to Python Turtle

The Beginner's Guide to Python Turtle

basics python

Introduction to Python SQL Libraries

Introduction to Python SQL Libraries

basics databases tools

Null in Python: Understanding Python's NoneType Object

Null in Python: Understanding Python's NoneType Object

basics python

Python IDEs and Code Editors: The Complete Guide

Finding the Perfect Python Code Editor

basics tools

Introduction to Python 3

A Guide to the Newer Python String Format Techniques

basics python

Playing and Recording Sound in Python

Playing and Recording Sound in Python

basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Sets in Python

basics python