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Python slice() Function

The slice() function returns a slice object that is used to slice any sequence (string, tuple, list, range, or bytes).

note

You can specify where to start the slicing, where to stop and specify the step.

Syntax​

slice(start, stop, step)

slice() Parameters​

Python slice() function parameters:

ParameterConditionDescription
startOptionalA number to specify start of the slicing. Default is 0.
stopRequiredA number to specify end of the slicing.
stepOptionalA number to specify the step. Default is 1.
note

When creating a slice:

  • The start index is included.
  • The end index is excluded.
note
  • If start=None, the slicing will start from the beginning of the sequence.
  • If stop=None, the slicing will go to the end of the sequence.
  • If step=None, the slicing will be done after every iteration.

slice() Return Value​

Python slice() function returns a slice object containing the elements in the given range.

note

You can use slice() with any object which supports sequence protocol (i.e. that implements __getitem__() and __len__() method).

Examples​

Example 1: Creating a slicing object for slicing​

result1 = slice(3) # contains indices 0, 1, 2
print(result1)

result2 = slice(1, 5, 2) # contains indices 1, 3
print(slice(1, 5, 2))

output

slice(None, 3, None)
slice(1, 5, 2)

Example 2: Slicing with slice(stop)​

If you call slice() with just one argument, you can slice a sequence from index 0 up to the specified index. For example:

text = 'Tutorial Reference'

sliced_text = slice(8)   # get slice object: start=0, end=8, step=1
print(text[sliced_text]) # Output: Tutorial

output

Tutorial

Example 3: Specifying Start and Stop Slicing with slice(start, stop)​

The slicing starts from 0 by default. However, you can start the slice at another number by adding a start parameter.

text = 'Tutorial Reference'

sliced_text = slice(2, 8) # get slice object: start=2, end=8, step=1
print(text[sliced_text])  # Output: torial

output

torial

Example 4: Specifying Start, Stop, and Step Slicing with slice(start, stop, step)​

The step of the slicing is 1 by default. However, you can specify a different step size by adding a step parameter.

text = 'Tutorial Reference'

sliced_text = slice(1, 14, 2) # get slice object: start=1, end=14, step=2
print(text[sliced_text])      # Output: uoilRfr

output

uoilRfr

Example 5: Slice with Negative Indices​

You can specify negative indices while slicing.

text = 'Tutorial Reference'

sliced_text = slice(3, -3) # get slice object: start=3, end=-3, step=1
print(text[sliced_text])   # Output: orial Refere

output

orial Refere
note

Remember that Python allows you to access elements from the end of a sequence by using negative integers as indices.

Example 6: Reverse a Sequence with slice()​

You can reverse a sequence by specifying both start and stop indices as None and a step as -1.

text = 'Tutorial Reference'

sliced_text = slice(None, None, -1) # get slice object: start=None, end=None, step=1
print(text[sliced_text])            # Output: ecnerefeR lairotuT

output

ecnerefeR lairotuT

Example 7: Slicing a String with slice()​

As seen in all the previous examples, you can use slice() function with strings:

text = 'Tutorial Reference'

sliced_text1 = slice(8)         # start=0, end=8, step=1
sliced_text2 = slice(2, 8)      # get slice object: start=2, end=8, step=1
sliced_text3 = slice(1, 14, 2)  # get slice object: start=1, end=14, step=2
sliced_text4 = slice(3, -3)     # get slice object: start=3, end=-3, step=1

print(text[sliced_text1]) # Output: Tutorial
print(text[sliced_text2]) # Output: torial
print(text[sliced_text3]) # Output: uoilRfr
print(text[sliced_text4]) # Output: orial Refere

output

Tutorial
torial
uoilRfr
orial Refere

Example 8: Slicing a List with slice()​

You can use slice() function with lists:

my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12]

sliced_list1 = slice(8)         # start=0, end=8, step=1
sliced_list2 = slice(2, 8)      # get slice object: start=2, end=8, step=1
sliced_list3 = slice(1, 10, 2)  # get slice object: start=1, end=14, step=2
sliced_list4 = slice(3, -3)     # get slice object: start=3, end=-3, step=1

print(my_list[sliced_list1]) # Output: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
print(my_list[sliced_list2]) # Output: [3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
print(my_list[sliced_list3]) # Output: [2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12]
print(my_list[sliced_list4]) # Output: [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

output

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
[2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12]
[4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

Example 9: Slicing a Tuple with slice()​

You can use slice() function with tuples:

my_tuple = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

sliced_tuple1 = slice(8)         # start=0, end=8, step=1
sliced_tuple2 = slice(2, 8)      # get slice object: start=2, end=8, step=1
sliced_tuple3 = slice(1, 14, 2)  # get slice object: start=1, end=14, step=2
sliced_tuple4 = slice(3, -3)     # get slice object: start=3, end=-3, step=1

print(my_tuple[sliced_tuple1]) # Output: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
print(my_tuple[sliced_tuple2]) # Output: (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
print(my_tuple[sliced_tuple3]) # Output: (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)
print(my_tuple[sliced_tuple4]) # Output: (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

output

(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
(3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
(2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)
(4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

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