How to reverse strings in Python

Learn how to reverse strings in Python.

There is no built-in function to reverse strings in Python.

The fastest (and also the simplest?) method is to use backward stepping slices,-1.

Example

Reverse the string "Hello World":

txt = "Hello World"[::-1]
print(txt)

Run Example

Example Explanation

We have a string, "Hello World", and we want to reverse it:

The string to be reversed

txt = "Hello World" [::-1]
print(txt)

Create a slice starting from the end of the string and then move backward.

In this particular example, the slice statement [::-1] is equivalent to [11:0:-1], which means starting from position 11 (because "Hello "World" has 11 characters), ending at position 0, moving with a step size -1, negative one means one step backward.

Cut String

txt = "Hello World" [::-1] 
print(txt)

Now we have a reversed string "Hello World" txt.

Print String to Demonstrate Result

Print List

txt = "Hello World"[::-1] 
print(txt)

Create Function

If you want a function that can send a string and return it backwards, you can create a function and insert the code in the above example

Example

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1]
mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")
print(mytxt)

Run Example

Example Explanation

Create a function with string as parameter.

Create Function

def my_function(x): 
  return x[::-1]
mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")
print(mytxt)

Cut the string from the end and move backward.

Cut String

def my_function(x):
  return x [::-1] 
mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")
print(mytxt)

Return the reversed string.

Return String

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1] 
mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")
print(mytxt )

Call Function Using String as Parameter:

Call Function

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1]
mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")
print(mytxt)

Print Result:

Print Result

def my_function(x):
  return x[::-1]
mytxt = my_function("I wonder how this text looks like backwards")
print(mytxt)