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.

Free Bonus: Python Cheat Sheet

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

The Best Way to Get Started

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

Python Basics Book

Learning Path

Python Basics Book

18 Resources ⋅ Skills: Python 3.8 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 GUI Programming With Tkinter

Python GUI Programming With Tkinter

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

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

Jul 08, 2019 basics

How to Use the Python or Operator

How to Use the Python or Operator

Jul 03, 2019 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Basic Input, Output, and String Formatting in Python

Jun 24, 2019 basics python

How to Implement a Python Stack

How to Implement a Python Stack

Jun 05, 2019 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Installing Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux

May 16, 2019 basics python

Playing and Recording Sound in Python

Playing and Recording Sound in Python

May 13, 2019 basics python

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

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

May 06, 2019 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Conditional Statements in Python (if/elif/else)

Apr 25, 2019 basics python

Python KeyError Exceptions and How to Handle Them

Python KeyError Exceptions and How to Handle Them

Apr 24, 2019 basics python

Python String Formatting

Python String Formatting Tips & Best Practices

Apr 11, 2019 basics best-practices python

How to Run Your Python Scripts

Running Python Scripts

Apr 09, 2019 basics python

What Is pip? A Guide for New Pythonistas

What Is Pip? A Guide for New Pythonistas

Apr 03, 2019 basics tools

Writing Comments in Python (Guide)

Writing Comments in Python

Mar 08, 2019 basics best-practices python

An Introduction to Python Exceptions

Introduction to Python Exceptions

Mar 05, 2019 basics python

F-Strings in Python 3.6

Python 3's f-Strings: An Improved String Formatting Syntax

Mar 05, 2019 basics python

Python Best Practices Artwork

Idiomatic Python 101

Mar 04, 2019 basics best-practices python

Python Data Science Artwork

Introduction to Pandas and Vincent

Mar 02, 2019 basics data-science

An Introduction to Python Exceptions

Python Exceptions 101

Mar 02, 2019 basics python

Python Data Science Artwork

Pandas DataFrames 101

Mar 02, 2019 basics data-science

Splitting, Concatenating, and Joining Strings in Python

Splitting, Concatenating, and Joining Strings in Python

Mar 01, 2019 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

Mastering While Loops

Mar 01, 2019 basics python

Absolute vs Relative Imports in Python

Python Imports 101

Mar 01, 2019 basics python

Introduction to Python 3

For Loops in Python (Definite Iteration)

Mar 01, 2019 basics python

Python Virtual Environments (venv)

Working With Python Virtual Environments

Feb 27, 2019 basics tools

How to Run Your Python Scripts

How to Run Your Python Scripts

Feb 18, 2019 basics python