Python List methods

Last Updated : 8 May, 2026

Python list methods are built-in functions that allow us to perform various operations on lists, such as adding, removing, or modifying elements. In this article, we’ll explore all Python list methods with a simple example.

append()

Adds an element to the end of the list.

Syntax: list_name.append(element)

In the code below, we will add an element to the list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3]

# Add 4 to the end of the list
a.append(4)
print(a)

Output
[1, 2, 3, 4]

copy()

Returns a shallow copy of the list.

Syntax: list_name.copy()

In the code below, we will create a copy of a list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3]

# Create a copy of the list
b = a.copy()
print(b)

Output
[1, 2, 3]

clear()

Removes all elements from the list.

Syntax: list_name.clear()

In the code below, we will clear all elements from the list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3]

# Remove all elements from the list
a.clear()
print(a)

Output
[]

count()

Returns the number of times a specified element appears in the list.

Syntax: list_name.count(element)

In the code below, we will count the occurrences of a specific element in the list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3, 2]

# Count occurrences of 2 in the list
print(a.count(2))

Output
2

extend()

Adds elements from another list to the end of the current list.

Syntax: list_name.extend(iterable)

In the code below, we will extend the list by adding elements from another list.

Python
a = [1, 2]

# Extend list a by adding elements from list [3, 4]
a.extend([3, 4])
print(a)

Output
[1, 2, 3, 4]

index()

Returns the index of the first occurrence of a specified element.

Syntax: list_name.index(element)

In the code below, we will find the index of a specific element in the list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3]

# Find the index of 2 in the list
print(a.index(2))

Output
1

insert()

Inserts an element at a specified position.

Syntax: list_name.insert(index, element)

In the code below, we will insert an element at a specific position in the list.

Python
a = [1, 3]

# Insert 2 at index 1
a.insert(1, 2)
print(a)

Output
[1, 2, 3]

pop()

Removes and returns the element at the specified position (or the last element if no index is specified).

Syntax: list_name.pop(index)

In the code below, we will remove the last element from the list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3]

# Remove and return the last element in the list
a.pop()
print(a)

Output
[1, 2]

remove()

Removes the first occurrence of a specified element.

Syntax: list_name.remove(element)

In the code below, we will remove the first occurrence of a specified element from the list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3]

# Remove the first occurrence of 2
a.remove(2)
print(a)

Output
[1, 3]

reverse()

Reverses the order of the elements in the list.

Syntax: list_name.reverse()

In the code below, we will reverse the order of the elements in the list.

Python
a = [1, 2, 3]

# Reverse the list order
a.reverse()
print(a)

Output
[3, 2, 1]

sort()

Sorts the list in ascending order (by default).

Syntax: list_name.sort(key=None, reverse=False)

In the code below, we will sort the elements of the list in ascending order

Python
a = [3, 1, 2]

# Sort the list in ascending order
a.sort()
print(a)

Output
[1, 2, 3]
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