🧱 Python Indentation Guide (2025) – Syntax, Best Practices & Common Errors
🔍 What is Indentation in Python?
Indentation in Python refers to the whitespace (spaces or tabs) placed at the beginning of a line to define the structure of the code.
Unlike other languages that use braces {} to define code blocks, Python uses indentation as part of its syntax.
✅ Why is Indentation Important?
- It tells Python where a block of code starts and ends (such as in loops, functions, or conditionals).
- Incorrect or inconsistent indentation will raise an error.
🔧 Indentation Rules
- Use 4 spaces per level (PEP 8 recommendation)
- Do not mix tabs and spaces
- All lines in the same block must be indented equally
✅ Example (Correct Indentation)
if True:
print("This is correctly indented")
print("Still inside the block")
print("Outside the block")
❌ Example (Incorrect Indentation)
if True:
print("This will cause an error")
🛑 This will raise:
IndentationError: expected an indented block
📌 Summary
| Rule | Description |
|---|---|
| Indentation defines blocks | Used instead of {} |
| Consistency is critical | Must use equal spaces per block |
| Recommended style | Use 4 spaces (avoid tabs) |
❓ FAQs – Python Indentation
❓ Why is indentation required in Python?
Indentation is required in Python because it defines the start and end of code blocks. It replaces the {} braces used in many other languages.
❓ How many spaces should I use for indentation?
PEP 8 (Python’s style guide) recommends using 4 spaces per indentation level. Avoid using tabs or mixing tabs and spaces.
❓ What happens if I use inconsistent indentation?
Python will raise an error like:
IndentationError: unexpected indent
This happens when your indentation is not consistent within the same block.
❓ Can I use tabs for indentation in Python?
Yes, but it’s not recommended. Most Python codebases and style guides prefer using spaces for indentation.
❓ Does indentation affect code outside functions or loops?
No. Indentation mainly affects code blocks that follow keywords like if, for, while, def, class, try, etc. Regular standalone lines don’t require indentation.
Share Now :
