Python Tutorials
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Overview

Python list items can be removed using the remove() method, pop() method, del keyword, or clear() method.

Remove a Specified Item by Value

my_list = ["Ferrari", "Maserati", "Alfa Romeo"]
my_list.remove("Ferrari")

print(my_list) #['Maserati', 'Alfa Romeo']

Note

If there is more than one item with the specified value, the remove() method removes ONLY the first occurrence of the item.

Remove a Specified Item by Index

Using the pop() method:

my_list = ["Ferrari", "Maserati", "Alfa Romeo"]
my_list.pop(1)

print(my_list) #['Ferrari', 'Alfa Romeo']

Note

Arrays count starting from zero NOT one. So item 1 is position [0], item 2 is position [1], and item 3 is position [2] … and so on.

If you do not specify the index, the pop() method removes the last item.

my_list = ["Ferrari", "Maserati", "Alfa Romeo"]
my_list.pop()

print(my_list) #['Ferrari', 'Maserati']

Remove a Specified Item Using the del Keyword

my_list = ["Ferrari", "Maserati", "Alfa Romeo"]
del my_list[1]

print(my_list) #['Ferrari', 'Alfa Romeo']

The del keyword can also delete the entire list. The list itself will no longer exist.

my_list = ["Ferrari", "Maserati", "Alfa Romeo"]
del my_list

#the list no longer exists

Note

The del keyword is NOT a method like the other options on this page.

Clear all Items From the List

Unlike the del keyword, the clear() method removes all the items from the list. The list itself remains, but will now be empty.

my_list = ["Ferrari", "Maserati", "Alfa Romeo"]
my_list.clear()

print(my_list) #[]

Python Notes:

  • The most recent major version of Python is Python 3; however, Python 2 is still in use and quite popular, although not being updated with anything other than security updates
  • Python uses new lines to complete a command, as opposed to other programming languages which often use semicolons or parentheses
  • Python relies on indentation, using whitespace to define scope, such as the scope of loops, functions, and classes; other programming languages often use curly-brackets for this purpose
  • Python string methods return new values, and DO NOT change the original string
  • Python tuples are unchangeable after created (their items CANNOT be changed or re-ordered at a later point)
  • Python sets are unordered (may appear in random orders when called), unchangeable (the value of individual items cannot be changed after creation), and unindexed (items cannot be referred to by index or key)
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We’d like to acknowledge that we learned a great deal of our coding from W3Schools and TutorialsPoint, borrowing heavily from their teaching process and excellent code examples. We highly recommend both sites to deepen your experience, and further your coding journey. We’re just hitting the basics here at 1SMARTchicken.