Python List sort

Python list.sort() method sorts the elements of the given list. We can sort the list in ascending or descending order by specifying reverse parameter. We can also provide a function (where this function returns a value for each element) that can be used for comparison between the values of respective elements.

Syntax

The syntax to call sort() method on a list myList is

myList.sort(*, key=None, reverse=False)

where

  • myList is a Python list
  • sort is method name
  • key is a function that can take the element as argument, and return a value
  • reverse if True, sorts the list in descending order, or if False, sorts the list in ascending order

Examples

Sort a List in Ascending Order

In the following program, we initialize a list myList with some integer values. We sort the elements in this list in ascending order, using sort() method.

main.py

#take a list
myList = [4, 16, 2, 0, 5]
print(f'original list : {myList}')

#sorted list
myList.sort()
print(f'sorted list   : {myList}')

Output

original list : [4, 16, 2, 0, 5]
sorted list   : [0, 2, 4, 5, 16]

Sort a List in Descending Order

In the following program, we initialize a list myList with some integer values. We sort the elements in this list in descending order, using sort() method. For descending order, pass reverse=True for sort() method.

main.py

#take a list
myList = [4, 16, 2, 0, 5]
print(f'original list : {myList}')

#sorted list
myList.sort(reverse=True)
print(f'sorted list   : {myList}')

Output

original list : [4, 16, 2, 0, 5]
sorted list   : [16, 5, 4, 2, 0]

Conclusion

In this Python Tutorial, we learned how to sort the elements in a list in ascending or descending order using list.sort() method.