Difference Between print and println in Java

What is `println` in Java?  

The `println` method in Java is used to display text or data on the console & then move the cursor to the next line. Like `print`, it is part of the `System` class in the `java.lang` package. The key difference is that `println` adds a line break after the output, making it ideal for displaying separate lines of text or data.  

Syntax of `println`  

The syntax for the `println` method is similar to `print `:  

System.out.println(data);

Here, `data` can be a string, number, variable, or expression. After displaying the data, `println` moves the cursor to the next line.  

Example of `println` in Action  

Let’s look at a simple example to understand how `println` works:  

public class PrintlnExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, ");
        System.out.println("World!");
    }
}

You can also try this code with Online Java Compiler

Run Code

In this Code: 

1. We create a class named `PrintlnExample`.  
 

2. Inside the `main` method, we use `System.out.println("Hello, ");` to display the text "Hello, " on the console. After this output, the cursor moves to the next line.  
 

3. Next, we use `System.out.println("World!");` to display "World!" on a new line.  

When you run this program, the output will look like this:  

Hello, 
World!

As you can see, each `println` statement places its output on a new line. This is the key behavior of the `println` method.  

When to Use `println`  

• Use `println` when you want to display each piece of data on a new line.  
   
• It’s useful for creating readable & well-structured output, especially when displaying lists or multiple lines of text.  

For example, if you want to display a list of items, you can use `println` like this:  

System.out.println("Shopping List:");
System.out.println("1. Apples");
System.out.println("2. Bread");
System.out.println("3. Milk");

You can also try this code with Online Java Compiler

Run Code

Output:  

Shopping List:
1. Apples
2. Bread
3. Milk

This makes your output organized & easy to follow.  

Should I use print or println in my code?  

Use `print` when you want to display output on the same line, like combining text or variables without line breaks. Use `println` when you want each output to appear on a new line, making it ideal for lists or structured displays. Choose based on how you want your output to look.  

Key Differences Between print() and println()

Example Comparing print() and println()

public class PrintVsPrintln {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.print("Hello ");
        System.out.print("Java ");
        System.out.println("World!");
        System.out.print("Coding ");
        System.out.println("Ninjas");
    }
}

You can also try this code with Online Java Compiler

Run Code

Output:

Hello Java World!
Coding Ninjas

Explanation:

• print("Hello ") and print("Java ") stay on the same line.
   
• println("World!") moves to the next line after printing "World!".
   
• print("Coding ") stays on the same line, but println("Ninjas") moves to the next line after printing "Ninjas".

When to Use print() and println()?

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I mix print() and println() in my Java program?

Mixing print() and println() results in some outputs appearing on the same line and others moving to new lines.

Can I use print() to display numbers and variables?

Yes, print() can display numbers and variables along with text in a continuous format.

What is the best way to display a formatted table in Java?

Using println() ensures each row appears on a new line, making the table more readable.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed the difference between print and println in Java. The print method prints output on the same line without a newline, while println prints the output followed by a new line. Understanding this difference helps in formatting console output properly and improving the readability of Java programs.