Python Tutorial · Control Flow · Lesson 20 of 42

Python Match Statement

Structural pattern matching with match/case (Python 3.10+).

match / case

match compares a value against patterns — like switch in other languages, but more powerful.

Example 1Try it yourself

def http_status(code):
    match code:
        case 200 | 201:
            return "OK"
        case 404:
            return "Not found"
        case 500:
            return "Server error"
        case _:
            return "Unknown"

print(http_status(201))
print(http_status(418))

Output

OK
Unknown

_ is the wildcard that matches anything (the default case). | combines alternatives.

Matching structure

Patterns can unpack sequences and dictionaries and capture parts into variables:

Example 2Try it yourself

def describe(command):
    match command.split():
        case ["go", direction]:
            return f"Going {direction}"
        case ["pick", "up", item]:
            return f"Picking up {item}"
        case ["quit"]:
            return "Bye"
        case _:
            return "Unknown command"

print(describe("go north"))
print(describe("pick up lamp"))

Output

Going north
Picking up lamp

Guards

Add if after a pattern for extra conditions:

Example 3Try it yourself

def classify(point):
    match point:
        case (0, 0):
            return "origin"
        case (x, 0):
            return f"on the x-axis at {x}"
        case (x, y) if x == y:
            return "on the diagonal"
        case (x, y):
            return f"somewhere else ({x}, {y})"

for p in [(0, 0), (5, 0), (2, 2), (1, 7)]:
    print(classify(p))

Output

origin
on the x-axis at 5
on the diagonal
somewhere else (1, 7)

Test yourself

Which pattern matches any value in a match statement?

*
default
_
else

Show answer

Answer: _