Python Elif Statement

The elif statement is used to check multiple conditions. It stands for “else if” and is executed when the previous if condition is False.

Syntax

if condition1:
    # code
elif condition2:
    # code
else:
    # code

Basic Example

age = 18

if age < 18:
    print("Minor")
elif age == 18:
    print("Exactly 18")
else:
    print("Adult")

Output:

Exactly 18

Multiple Elif Conditions

Example

marks = 75

if marks >= 90:
    print("Grade A")
elif marks >= 80:
    print("Grade B")
elif marks >= 70:
    print("Grade C")
elif marks >= 60:
    print("Grade D")
else:
    print("Fail")

Output:

Grade C

Elif with Strings

Example

color = "green"

if color == "red":
    print("Stop")
elif color == "yellow":
    print("Wait")
elif color == "green":
    print("Go")
else:
    print("Invalid Color")

Output:

Go

Elif with User Input

Example

number = int(input("Enter a number: "))

if number > 0:
    print("Positive")
elif number < 0:
    print("Negative")
else:
    print("Zero")

Output (Input: -5):

Negative

How Elif Works

Python checks conditions from top to bottom.

Example

score = 95

if score >= 90:
    print("Excellent")
elif score >= 80:
    print("Very Good")
elif score >= 70:
    print("Good")

Output:

Excellent

Once a condition is True, the remaining elif conditions are skipped.

Summary

• elif stands for “else if”.
• It is used to check multiple conditions.
• Multiple elif blocks can be used in a program.
• Python executes only the first matching condition.
• Conditions are checked from top to bottom.
• elif helps avoid writing multiple separate if statements.