python

Variables in Python

August 2, 2026 · #python#beginners#variables

Variables are one of the first ideas you meet in Python. They let you store values and reuse them later — numbers, text, lists, and more.

Think of a variable as a labeled box. You put something in the box, give it a name, and use that name whenever you need the value.

Creating a variable

In Python you create a variable by writing a name, an equals sign, and a value:

age = 25
name = "Ada"

• age stores the number 25
• name stores the text "Ada"

You don’t need to declare a type. Python figures it out from the value.

Try it: store and print values

Edit the code if you like, then click Run:

python

name = "Techtonz" year = 2026 print(name) print(year) print(f"{name} is teaching Python in {year}")

Naming rules (keep these in mind)

Good variable names make your code easier to read.

Do:

• Use lowercase letters
• Separate words with underscores: first_name, total_score
• Choose names that describe the value

Don’t:

• Start with a number (1name is invalid)
• Use spaces (first name is invalid)
• Use Python keywords like if, for, class

Examples:

Valid	Invalid
score	2score
user_name	user-name
total	total amount

Changing a variable

You can update a variable by assigning a new value:

count = 1
count = count + 1

Or more briefly:

count = 1
count += 1

Try it: update a value

python

score = 10 print("Starting score:", score) score = score + 5 print("After bonus:", score) score += 2 print("After extra points:", score)

Common types you’ll use early

Type	Example	Meaning
int	age = 21	Whole number
float	price = 9.99	Decimal number
str	city = "Lagos"	Text
bool	is_active = True	True or False

Check a type with type():

x = 42
print(type(x))

Try it: inspect types

python

age = 21 price = 9.99 city = "Lagos" is_student = True print(type(age)) print(type(price)) print(type(city)) print(type(is_student))

Quick practice

Before you move on, try changing the examples above:

1. Change name to your own name and run again
2. Start score at 0 and add points in two steps
3. Create a variable for your favorite language and print it

What’s next

Once variables feel comfortable, the next step is working with strings and numbers — combining text, doing math, and formatting output cleanly.

For a broader learning path, see:

• How to Learn Python Fast in 2026
• Getting Started with Python for Data Work: A Beginner’s Guide

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