Java Tutorial · Control Flow · Lesson 13 of 37

Java If Else

Make decisions with if, else if and else.

if, else if, else

Example 1

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int score = 82;
        if (score >= 90) {
            System.out.println("A");
        } else if (score >= 80) {
            System.out.println("B");
        } else {
            System.out.println("Keep practising");
        }
    }
}

Output

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

Conditions must be boolean — unlike some languages, Java won't treat 0 or null as false.

Nested conditions and guard clauses

Return early from methods to avoid deeply nested if statements:

Example 2

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(shippingCost(0, false));
        System.out.println(shippingCost(120, false));
        System.out.println(shippingCost(40, true));
        System.out.println(shippingCost(40, false));
    }

    static String shippingCost(double orderTotal, boolean isMember) {
        if (orderTotal <= 0) return "Empty order";
        if (orderTotal >= 100 || isMember) return "Free shipping";
        return "Shipping: $4.99";
    }
}

Output

Empty order
Free shipping
Free shipping
Shipping: $4.99

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

Test yourself

Can you write if (1) { ... } in Java?

Yes
No — the condition must be a boolean

Show answer

Answer: No — the condition must be a boolean