SyntaxError: 'break' outside loop in Python [Solved]

# SyntaxError: 'break' outside loop in Python

The Python "SyntaxError: 'break' outside loop" occurs when we use the break statement outside of a loop.

To solve the error, use a return statement to return a value from a function, or use the sys.exit() method to exit the interpreter.

Here is an example of how the error occurs.

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if len('hi') == 2:
    # ⛔️ SyntaxError: 'break' outside loop
    break

The break statement can only be used inside of for or while loops.

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# ✅ Using break inside a for loop
for i in range(5):
    if i == 3:
        break
    print(i)  # 👉️ 0 1 2

print('exited for loop')

The code sample above uses a break statement inside a for loop to exit the loop once the condition is met.

# Use a return statement to return a value from a function

If you meant to return a value from a function, use a return statement instead.

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def example():
    if len('hi') == 2:
        return 100

    return 0


result = example()

print(result)  # 👉️ 100

The return statement can be used to return a value and exit the function.

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def example():
    if len('hi') == 2:
        return  # 👈️ Return to exit

    return 0


result = example()

print(result)  # 👉️ None

The code sample above uses a return statement to exit the function in the if block.

# Use the sys.exit() method to exit the program

If you need to signal an intention to exit the interpreter, use the sys.exit() method.

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import sys

print('before')  # ✅ This runs

sys.exit()

print('after')  # ⛔️ This never runs

The sys.exit method can be used to signal an intention to exit the interpreter.

The last line from the code sample is never run.

# The break statement is used to exit a for or a while loop

The break statement breaks out of the innermost enclosing for or while loop.

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for i in range(5):
    if i == 3:
        break
    print(i)  # 👉️ 0 1 2

print('exited for loop')

The if statement checks if the i variable stores a value of 3, and if it does, we break out of the for loop.

Here is an example of using the break statement in a while loop.

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i = 0

while i < 5:
    print(i)  # 👉️ 0 1 2

    i += 1

    if i == 3:
        break

print('exited while loop')

The while loop iterates until its condition returns false or the break statement is used.

# Make sure your code is correctly indented

Make sure your code is correctly indented as that often causes issues.

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for i in range(5):
    if i == 3:
        print(i)

break # ⛔️ error

The break statement is not indented and therefore is not a part of the for loop, so trying to use it causes the error.

Instead, indent the break statement in the for loop using tabs or spaces.

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for i in range(5):
    if i == 3:
        break
    print(i)  # 👉️ 0 1 2

print('exited for loop')

Now the break statement is a part of the for loop and can be used without any issues.

Make sure to only indent your code using tabs or spaces.

Using tabs and spaces to indent a line often causes issues.

# Raising an exception to exit a code block

You can also raise an exception to exit a code block.

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an_int = 10

if an_int > 5:
    raise Exception('example error message')
else:
    print('bar')

The code sample raises an Exception if the condition is met.

Any code below the raise statement won't run because raising an error causes the program to exit.

# Exiting an interactive Python session

If you need to exit an interactive Python session, use the exit() function.

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print('before')  # ✅ This runs

exit()

# Additional Resources

You can learn more about the related topics by checking out the following tutorials:

• How to count in a For or While Loop in Python
• Detect the Last item in a List using a for loop in Python
• For or While loop to print Numbers from 1 to 10 in Python
• Using multiple variables in a For loop in Python
• Remove elements from a List while iterating in Python
• Using a For or While Loop to take user input in Python
• How to Print on the Same Line in Python
• Run a Function or a Loop only Once in Python
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