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How to print Boolean values in Python

Boolean values (True and False) are fundamental in programming for representing truth and state.

This guide will explore various methods to print, format, and convert boolean values in Python, ensuring you can effectively use them in your code and display them appropriately.

Printing Boolean Values Directly​

The simplest way to display a boolean value is to pass it directly to the print() function:

my_bool = True
print(my_bool)  # Output: True
print(False)    # Output: False

The print() function outputs the boolean value to the console without any additional formatting.

Printing Boolean Values within Strings​

To embed a boolean value within a string, use f-strings (formatted string literals). F-strings allow you to include expressions inside string literals:

my_bool = True
print(f'is subscribed: {my_bool}')  # Output: is subscribed: True
note

Remember that the print() function itself returns None. So avoid assigning the result of print() to a variable. Instead, construct the string and then pass it to print() function.

Checking Variable Types with type() and isinstance()​

If you're unsure of the data type of a variable, use the built-in type() function or the isinstance() function:

my_bool = False
print(type(my_bool))                # Output: <class 'bool'>
print(isinstance(my_bool, bool))    # Output: True

my_str = 'hello'
print(type(my_str))                 # Output: <class 'str'>
print(isinstance(my_str, str))      # Output: True
  • type() returns the type of an object.
  • isinstance() checks if an object is an instance of a specified class, returning True or False.

Converting Values to Booleans Using bool()​

The bool() constructor converts other values to their boolean equivalents (either True or False).

print(bool('hello'))    # Output: True
print(bool(0))          # Output: False
note

In Python, values that are considered "truthy" evaluate to True when converted to a boolean, while "falsy" values evaluate to False. Falsy values include False, None, numerical zero (of any type), and empty sequences or collections (e.g., empty strings, lists, dictionaries).

Formatting Boolean Output​

For more customized output, format boolean values as strings before printing. You can convert them to lowercase strings using .lower():

my_bool = True
print(f'{my_bool}'.lower())  # Output: true

Converting Booleans to Integers​

To get the integer representation of a boolean, use the int() constructor:

print(int(True))     # Output: 1
print(int(False))    # Output: 0

Converting Integers to Booleans​

You can convert integers to booleans using the bool() constructor. Note that 0 will convert to False, and any other number converts to True.

print(bool(1))  # Output: True
print(bool(0))  # Output: False

Using print() with Multiple Arguments​

The print() function accepts multiple comma-separated arguments, which are then printed separated by a space by default.

print('is subscribed:', True)           # Output: is subscribed: True
print('is subscribed:', True, sep='')   # Output: is subscribed: True

You can control the separator by using the sep argument in the print function.

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