Python Data Types

What Is A Data Type?

A data type tells Python what kind of value it is working with. The value 25 is a number, "25" is text, and True is a boolean value. They may look similar to a beginner, but Python treats them differently.

Data types matter because they decide which operations are allowed. Python can add two numbers, join two strings, and test a boolean in an if statement, but it will not automatically guess every operation you meant.

age = 16
name = "Asha"
height = 1.62
is_student = True

Here age is an integer, name is a string, height is a float, and is_student is a boolean.

Common Beginner Types

An int stores a whole number.

marks = 88

A float stores a number with a decimal point.

price = 49.99

A str stores text. Strings must be written inside quotes.

city = "Delhi"

A bool stores either True or False. Notice the capital first letters.

is_open = False

Python also has None, which represents the absence of a value.

middle_name = None

Checking A Type

Use type() when you want to inspect a value.

score = 90
print(type(score))

Output:

<class 'int'>

This is useful while learning and debugging. If your program behaves strangely, check whether a value is really the type you expect.

Same Looking Values Can Behave Differently

The values 10 and "10" are not the same type.

print(10 + 5)
print("10" + "5")

Output:

15
105

The first line adds numbers. The second line joins strings. Python is doing exactly what the data types tell it to do.

Converting Between Types

Sometimes you need to convert a value. This is common when using input(), because input() always returns a string.

age_text = "16"
age = int(age_text)

print(age + 1)

This prints:

17

Use int() for whole numbers, float() for decimal numbers, and str() when you need text.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is trying to add a string and a number directly.

age = "16"
print(age + 1)

This raises a TypeError because Python cannot join text with a number. Convert first:

age = int(age)
print(age + 1)

Another mistake is writing booleans in lowercase:

is_ready = true

Python uses True and False, not true and false.

Quick Summary

• A data type describes the kind of value Python is using.
• Common beginner types include int, float, str, bool, and NoneType.
• Use type() to inspect a value.
• 10 and "10" behave differently because one is a number and one is text.
• Convert types with int(), float(), and str() when needed.
• input() always returns a string.

Practice Quiz

Now practice this topic with MCQs and explanations:

Start the Python Data Types quiz