Python zip() Function

Combines multiple iterables together

Usage

The zip() function combines items from each of the specified iterables.

The return value is a list of tuples where the items of each passed iterable at same index are paired together.

Syntax

zip(iterables)

Python zip() function parameters
ParameterConditionDescription
iterablesOptionalOne or more iterables (list, tuple, dictionary etc.) to be joined together

Basic Example

# Combine two lists together
x = [1, 2, 3]
y = ['one', 'two', 'three']
result = zip(x, y)
print(list(result))
# Prints [(1, 'one'), (2, 'two'), (3, 'three')]

Multiple Iterables

You can pass as many iterables you want to the zip() function.

# Zip three lists
x = [1, 2, 3]
y = ['one', 'two', 'three']
z = ['I', 'II', 'III']
result = zip(x, y, z)
print(list(result))
# Prints [(1, 'one', 'I'), (2, 'two', 'II'), (3, 'three', 'III')]

Iterables with Different Length

If you pass iterables having different length, the iterable with least items decides the length of the resulting iterable.

# Iterable 'y' decides the length of the resulting iterable
x = [1, 2, 3, 4]
y = ['one', 'two']
z = ['I', 'II', 'III']
result = zip(x, y, z)
print(list(result))
# Prints [(1, 'one', 'I'), (2, 'two', 'II')]

Unzip/Unpack Zipped Items

zip() in conjunction with the * operator can be used to unzip a list:

# zip
x = [1, 2, 3]
y = ['one', 'two', 'three']
result = zip(x, y)

# unzip
a, b = zip(*result)
print(a)
# Prints (1, 2, 3)
print(b)
# Prints ('one', 'two', 'three')

Common Use

You can create a dictionary with list of zipped keys and values.

keys = ['name', 'age']
values = ['Bob', 25]
D = dict(zip(keys, values))
print(D)
# Prints {'age': 25, 'name': 'Bob'}

Using zip() function you can loop through multiple lists at once.

name = ['Bob', 'Sam', 'Max']
age = [25, 35, 30]
for x, y in zip(name, age):
    print(x, y)
# Prints Bob 25
# Prints Sam 35
# Prints Max 30