Python 3 reference · List Methods

Python List clear() Method

Remove every item from the list in place, leaving an empty list. Other references see the change too.

Syntax

list.clear()

None.

Empty a listTry it yourself

cart = ["tea", "cake"]
cart.clear()
print(cart, len(cart))

Output

[] 0

clear() vs assigning []Try it yourself

a = [1, 2, 3]
b = a          # same list
a.clear()
print(b)
c = [1, 2, 3]
d = c
c = []        # new list; d is unchanged
print(d)

Output

[]
[1, 2, 3]

Version	Change
Python 3.0	Added

list.pop() · Remove and return the item at a position, the last item by default. Raises IndexError on an empty list.
list.remove() · Remove the first item equal to a value. Raises ValueError if the value is not in the list.
dict.clear() · Remove every key and value from the dictionary in place, leaving it empty. Other references see the change too.
Python Lists · tutorial