Python For Loop with Index – Using enumerate()

How do I access the index while iterating over a sequence in a for loop?

Python For Loop with Index Using enumerate

coldshadow44 on 2025-10-13

2025-10-14

The Pythonic way is to use the built-in enumerate() function:

xs = [8, 23, 45]

for idx, x in enumerate(xs, start=1):

print("item #{} = {}".format(idx, x))

Output:

item #1 = 8

item #2 = 23

item #3 = 45

Notes:

enumerate(xs) returns pairs (index, value) for each item in the sequence.
start=1 ensures the index begins at 1 instead of the default 0.
Avoid manually indexing with for i in range(len(xs)) — it’s less readable and considered un-Pythonic.

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