Python find() Method

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
3 examples
String
Decorative image with the word FIND

Definition

In Python, find() searches for a substring and returns the index of the first match. If the text is missing, it returns -1.

sub is required. Optional start and end limit the search to a slice. The search is case-sensitive.

Syntax

Call find with the substring. Start with this line.

python
pos = text.find("Python")
CallWhat it does
"hello".find("ll")Returns 2.
"hello".find("x")Returns -1 when missing.

Do not write if text.find(sub): — index 0 is falsy. Use != -1.

Library declarations
python
str.find(sub[, start[, end]]) → int

Parameters

ParameterDescription
subRequired. The substring to search for.
startOptional. Index where the search starts. Default 0.
endOptional. Exclusive end index of the search range.

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
intFirst match index, or -1 if not found.

Python Examples

Example 1 — Find a Substring Index

Get the first match position, or -1 when it is missing.

python
text = "CodeToFun"

print(text.find("To"))
print(text.find("Java"))
print(text.find("o"))  # first "o" only

How It Works

  1. Match "To". Starts at index 4 in "CodeToFun".
  2. Missing text. "Java" is not present → -1.
  3. First only. There are two "o" letters; find returns the first (1).
  4. Safe check. Compare with != -1 when presence matters.

Example 2 — Limit Search with start / end

Search inside a slice without creating a new string first.

python
text = "one two two three"

print(text.find("two"))       # first "two"
print(text.find("two", 5))    # start after the first
print(text.find("two", 0, 5)) # only look in text[0:5]

How It Works

  1. Default search. First "two" begins at index 4.
  2. Raise the start. From index 5, the next match is at 8.
  3. Cap the end. In text[0:5] there is no full "two" → -1.
  4. Slice semantics. start/end behave like slicing bounds.

Example 3 — find() vs index()

Same success path; different failure behavior.

python
text = "Python"

print("find:", text.find("Java"))

try:
    print("index:", text.index("Java"))
except ValueError as err:
    print("index error:", err)

How It Works

  1. find stays quiet. Missing text → -1.
  2. index raises. Same miss becomes a ValueError.
  3. Pick by intent. Optional match → find; required match → index.
  4. Catch when needed. Wrap index in try/except if absence is possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

It returns the first index of a substring, or -1 if missing.
find() returns -1. It does not raise.
Yes. Fold both sides with casefold() for case-insensitive search.
find() returns -1 when missing. index() raises ValueError.
No. It only returns an integer.

Next: format()

Insert values into a string with format placeholders.

format() tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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