Linked List is a part of the Collection framework present in java.util package. This class is an implementation of the LinkedList data structure, which is a linear data structure where the elements are not stored in contiguous locations, and every element is a separate object with a data part and an address part. The elements are linked using pointers and addresses, and each element is known as a node.
Example:
Java
// Java program to add elements to a LinkedList
import java.util.LinkedList;
public class Geeks {
// Main driver method
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Creating a LinkedList
LinkedList<String> l = new LinkedList<String>();
// Adding elements to the LinkedList using add() method
l.add("One");
l.add("Two");
l.add("Three");
l.add("Four");
l.add("Five");
// Printing the LinkedList
System.out.println(l);
}
}
Output[One, Two, Three, Four, Five]
Note: The nodes cannot be accessed directly instead we have to start from the head and follow the link until we find the node that we want.
Internal Working of LinkedList
Since a LinkedList acts as a dynamic array and we do not have to specify the size while creating it, the size of the list automatically increases when we dynamically add and remove items. And also, the elements are not stored in a continuous fashion. Therefore, there is no need to increase the size. Internally, the LinkedList is implemented using the doubly linked list data structure.
Normal List vs Doubly LinkedList:
The main difference between a normal linked list and a doubly LinkedList is that Doubly linked list contains an extra pointer which is known as previous pointer. In this each node points to both the next and previous nodes.
Constructors in the LinkedList
In order to create a LinkedList, we need to create an object of the LinkedList class. The LinkedList class consists of various constructors that allow the possible creation of the list. The following are the constructors available in this class:
1. LinkedList(): This constructor is used to create an empty linked list. If we wish to create an empty LinkedList with the name ll, then it can be created as:
LinkedList ll = new LinkedList();
2. LinkedList(Collection C): This constructor is used to create an ordered list that contains all the elements of a specified collection, as returned by the collection's iterator. If we wish to create a LinkedList with the name ll, then, it can be created as:
LinkedList ll = new LinkedList(C);
Methods for Java LinkedList
Method | Description |
---|
add(int index, E element) | This method Inserts the specified element at the specified position in this list. |
add(E e) | This method Appends the specified element to the end of this list. |
addAll(int index, Collection<E> c) | This method Inserts all of the elements in the specified collection into this list, starting at the specified position. |
addAll(Collection<E> c) | This method Appends all of the elements in the specified collection to the end of this list, in the order that they are returned by the specified collection's iterator. |
addFirst(E e) | This method Inserts the specified element at the beginning of this list. |
addLast(E e) | This method Appends the specified element to the end of this list. |
clear() | This method removes all of the elements from this list. |
clone() | This method returns a shallow copy of this LinkedList. |
contains(Object o) | This method returns true if this list contains the specified element. |
descendingIterator() | This method returns an iterator over the elements in this deque in reverse sequential order. |
element() | This method retrieves but does not remove, the head (first element) of this list. |
get(int index) | This method returns the element at the specified position in this list. |
getFirst() | This method returns the first element in this list. |
getLast() | This method returns the last element in this list. |
indexOf(Object o) | This method returns the index of the first occurrence of the specified element in this list, or -1 if this list does not contain the element. |
lastIndexOf(Object o) | This method returns the index of the last occurrence of the specified element in this list, or -1 if this list does not contain the element. |
listIterator(int index) | This method returns a list-iterator of the elements in this list (in proper sequence), starting at the specified position in the list. |
offer(E e) | This method Adds the specified element as the tail (last element) of this list. |
offerFirst(E e) | This method Inserts the specified element at the front of this list. |
offerLast(E e) | This method Inserts the specified element at the end of this list. |
peek() | This method retrieves but does not remove, the head (first element) of this list. |
peekFirst() | This method retrieves, but does not remove, the first element of this list, or returns null if this list is empty. |
peekLast() | This method retrieves, but does not remove, the last element of this list, or returns null if this list is empty. |
poll() | This method retrieves and removes the head (first element) of this list. |
pollFirst() | This method retrieves and removes the first element of this list, or returns null if this list is empty. |
pollLast() | This method retrieves and removes the last element of this list, or returns null if this list is empty. |
pop() | This method Pops an element from the stack represented by this list. |
push(E e) | This method pushes an element onto the stack represented by this list. |
remove() | This method retrieves and removes the head (first element) of this list. |
remove(int index) | This method removes the element at the specified position in this list. |
remove(Object o) | This method removes the first occurrence of the specified element from this list if it is present. |
removeFirst() | This method removes and returns the first element from this list. |
removeFirstOccurrence(Object o) | This method removes the first occurrence of the specified element in this list (when traversing the list from head to tail). |
removeLast() | This method removes and returns the last element from this list. |
removeLastOccurrence(Object o) | This method removes the last occurrence of the specified element in this list (when traversing the list from head to tail). |
set(int index, E element) | This method replaces the element at the specified position in this list with the specified element. |
size() | This method returns the number of elements in this list. |
spliterator() | This method creates a late-binding and fail-fast Spliterator over the elements in this list. |
toArray() | This method returns an array containing all of the elements in this list in proper sequence (from first to last element). |
toArray(T[] a) | This method returns an array containing all of the elements in this list in proper sequence (from first to last element); the runtime type of the returned array is that of the specified array. |
toString() | This method returns a string containing all of the elements in this list in proper sequence (from first to the last element), each element is separated by commas and the String is enclosed in square brackets. |
Below is the implementation of the above operations:
Java
// Java Program to Demonstrate
// Implementation of LinkedList
// class
import java.util.*;
public class Geeks
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
// Creating object of the
// class linked list
LinkedList<String> ll = new LinkedList<String>();
// Adding elements to the linked list
ll.add("A");
ll.add("B");
ll.addLast("C");
ll.addFirst("D");
ll.add(2, "E");
System.out.println(ll);
ll.remove("B");
ll.remove(3);
ll.removeFirst();
ll.removeLast();
System.out.println(ll);
}
}
Output[D, A, E, B, C]
[A]
Hierarchy of Java List Interface
The image below demonstrated the inheritance and implementation hierarchy of Java List interface and its key classes.

In the above illustration, AbstractList, CopyOnWriteArrayList, and AbstractSequentialList are the classes that implement the list interface. A separate functionality is implemented in each of the mentioned classes. They are:
- AbstractList: This class is used to implement an unmodifiable list, for which one needs to only extend this AbstractList Class and implement only the get() and the size() methods.
- CopyOnWriteArrayList: This class implements the list interface. It is an enhanced version of ArrayList in which all the modifications(add, set, remove, etc.) are implemented by making a fresh copy of the list.
- Adding elements
- Updating elements
- Removing elements
- Iterating over elements
- To Array()
- Size();
- removeFirst()
- removeLast()
1. Adding Elements: With the help of add() method, we can add elements to an ArrayList. This method can perform multiple operations based on different parameters. They are:
- add(Object): This method is used to add an element at the end of the LinkedList.
- add(int index, Object): This method is used to add an element at a specific index in the LinkedList.
Example:
Java
// Java program to add elements
// to a LinkedList
import java.util.*;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String args[])
{
LinkedList<String> ll = new LinkedList<>();
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add(1, "For");
System.out.println(ll);
}
}
Output[Geeks, For, Geeks]
2. Changing Elements: With the of set() method, we can change element in a LinkedList. This method takes an index and the updated element which needs to be inserted at that index.
Example:
Java
// Java program to change elements
// in a LinkedList
import java.util.*;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String args[])
{
LinkedList<String> ll = new LinkedList<>();
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add(1, "Geeks");
System.out.println("Initial LinkedList " + ll);
ll.set(1, "For");
System.out.println("Updated LinkedList " + ll);
}
}
OutputInitial LinkedList [Geeks, Geeks, Geeks]
Updated LinkedList [Geeks, For, Geeks]
3. Removing Elements: With the help of remove() method we can remove element from a LinkedList. This method can perform multiple operations based on different parameters. They are:
- remove(Object): This method is used to remove an object from the LinkedList. If there are multiple objects, then the first occurrence of the object is removed.
- remove(int index): This method removes the element at the specific index in the LinkedList. After removing, the list updates so the elements shift, and the LinkedList reflects the change.
Example:
Java
// Java program to remove elements
// in a LinkedList
import java.util.*;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String args[])
{
LinkedList<String> ll = new LinkedList<>();
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add(1, "For");
System.out.println("Initial LinkedList " + ll);
// Function call
ll.remove(1);
System.out.println("After the Index Removal " + ll);
ll.remove("Geeks");
System.out.println("After the Object Removal "
+ ll);
}
}
OutputInitial LinkedList [Geeks, For, Geeks]
After the Index Removal [Geeks, Geeks]
After the Object Removal [Geeks]
4. Iterating the LinkedList: There are multiple ways to iterate through LinkedList. The most famous ways are by using the basic for loop in combination with a get() method to get the element at a specific index and the advanced for-loop.
Example:
Java
// Java program to iterate the elements
// in an LinkedList
import java.util.*;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String args[])
{
LinkedList<String> ll
= new LinkedList<>();
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add("Geeks");
ll.add(1, "For");
// Using the Get method and the
// for loop
for (int i = 0; i < ll.size(); i++) {
System.out.print(ll.get(i) + " ");
}
System.out.println();
// Using the for each loop
for (String str : ll)
System.out.print(str + " ");
}
}
OutputGeeks For Geeks
Geeks For Geeks
5. Linked list to Array by using toArray(): It converts the elements of the linked list into a new array.
Example:
Java
// Converting linkedlist into an array
import java.util.*;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String[] args)
{
LinkedList<Integer> list= new LinkedList<Integer>();
list.add(123);
list.add(12);
list.add(11);
list.add(1134);
System.out.println("LinkedList: "+ list);
Object[] a = list.toArray();
System.out.print("After converted LinkedList to Array: ");
for(Object element : a)
System.out.print(element+" ");
}
}
OutputLinkedList: [123, 12, 11, 1134]
After converted LinkedList to Array: 123 12 11 1134
6. size(): This method returns the total number of elements in the linked list.
Example:
Java
// Getting the size of a linked list
import java.io.*;
import java.util.LinkedList;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String args[]) {
LinkedList<String> list = new LinkedList<String>();
list.add("Geeks for Geeks ");
list.add("is best ");
// Displaying the size of the list
System.out.println("The size of the linked list is: " + list.size());
}
}
OutputThe size of the linked list is: 2
7. removeFirst(): This method returns the first element of a linkedlist.
Example:
Java
// Removing first element from the linkedlist
import java.io.*;
import java.util.LinkedList;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String args[]) {
LinkedList<Integer> list = new LinkedList<Integer>();
list.add(10);
list.add(20);
list.add(30);
System.out.println("LinkedList:" + list);
System.out.println("The remove first element is: " + list.removeFirst());
// Displaying the final list
System.out.println("Final LinkedList:" + list);
}
}
OutputLinkedList:[10, 20, 30]
The remove first element is: 10
Final LinkedList:[20, 30]
8. removelast(): This method removes the last element from the linkedlist.
Example:
Java
// Removing last element from the linked list
import java.io.*;
import java.util.LinkedList;
public class Geeks {
public static void main(String args[])
{
LinkedList<Integer> list = new LinkedList<Integer>();
list.add(10);
list.add(20);
list.add(30);
System.out.println("LinkedList:" + list);
// Remove the tail using removeLast()
System.out.println("The last element is removed: " + list.removeLast());
// Displaying the final list
System.out.println("Final LinkedList:" + list);
// Remove the tail using removeLast()
System.out.println("The last element is removed: " + list.removeLast());
// Displaying the final list
System.out.println("Final LinkedList:" + list);
}
}
OutputLinkedList:[10, 20, 30]
The last element is removed: 30
Final LinkedList:[10, 20]
The last element is removed: 20
Final LinkedList:[10]
The LinkedList class in Java is a part of the Java Collections Framework and provides a linked list implementation of the List interface. It allows for the storage and retrieval of elements in a doubly-linked list data structure, where each element is linked to its predecessor and successor elements.
Here is a simple example that demonstrates how to use a LinkedList in Java:
Java
// Demonstrating the working of LinkedList
import java.util.LinkedList;
public class Geeks{
public static void main(String[] args) {
// Create a new linked list
LinkedList<Integer> linkedList = new LinkedList<>();
// Add elements to the linked list
linkedList.add(1);
linkedList.add(2);
linkedList.add(3);
// Add an element to the beginning of the linked list
linkedList.addFirst(0);
// Add an element to the end of the linked list
linkedList.addLast(4);
// Print the elements of the linked list
for (int i : linkedList) {
System.out.println(i);
}
}
}
Advantages
- The linked list can increase or decrease it's size whenever we need, so there is no need to set the size of a linkedlist before using it.
- Adding or removing elements in the middle of a linkedlist is a very simple task. We just need to change the links between nodes without moving other elements.
- In linked list we can move in forward and backward direction because each element knows about the one before and after it.
Disadvantages
- Finding an element in a linked list takes more time because we have to fo through the list from the start.
- In linked list each element stires extra information that's why it takes more memory.
Similar Reads
Java Tutorial Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language used to build web apps, mobile applications, and enterprise software systems. It is known for its Write Once, Run Anywhere capability, which means code written in Java can run on any device that supports the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).Java s
10 min read
Basics
Introduction to JavaJava is a high-level, object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It is platform-independent, which means we can write code once and run it anywhere using the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Java is mostly used for building desktop applications, web applications, Android
4 min read
Java Programming BasicsJava is one of the most popular and widely used programming language and platform. A platform is an environment that helps to develop and run programs written in any programming language. Java is fast, reliable and secure. From desktop to web applications, scientific supercomputers to gaming console
4 min read
Java MethodsJava Methods are blocks of code that perform a specific task. A method allows us to reuse code, improving both efficiency and organization. All methods in Java must belong to a class. Methods are similar to functions and expose the behavior of objects.Example: Java program to demonstrate how to crea
7 min read
Access Modifiers in JavaIn Java, access modifiers are essential tools that define how the members of a class, like variables, methods, and even the class itself, can be accessed from other parts of our program. They are an important part of building secure and modular code when designing large applications. In this article
6 min read
Arrays in JavaIn Java, an array is an important linear data structure that allows us to store multiple values of the same type. Arrays in Java are objects, like all other objects in Java, arrays implicitly inherit from the java.lang.Object class. This allows you to invoke methods defined in Object (such as toStri
9 min read
Java StringsIn Java, a String is the type of object that can store a sequence of characters enclosed by double quotes and every character is stored in 16 bits, i.e., using UTF 16-bit encoding. A string acts the same as an array of characters. Java provides a robust and flexible API for handling strings, allowin
8 min read
Regular Expressions in JavaIn Java, Regular Expressions or Regex (in short) in Java is an API for defining String patterns that can be used for searching, manipulating, and editing a string in Java. Email validation and passwords are a few areas of strings where Regex is widely used to define the constraints. Regular Expressi
7 min read
OOPs & Interfaces
Classes and Objects in JavaIn Java, classes and objects are basic concepts of Object Oriented Programming (OOPs) that are used to represent real-world concepts and entities. A class is a template to create objects having similar properties and behavior, or in other words, we can say that a class is a blueprint for objects.An
10 min read
Java ConstructorsIn Java, constructors play an important role in object creation. A constructor is a special block of code that is called when an object is created. Its main job is to initialize the object, to set up its internal state, or to assign default values to its attributes. This process happens automaticall
10 min read
Java OOP(Object Oriented Programming) ConceptsBefore Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs), most programs used a procedural approach, where the focus was on writing step-by-step functions. This made it harder to manage and reuse code in large applications.To overcome these limitations, Object-Oriented Programming was introduced. Java is built arou
10 min read
Java PackagesPackages in Java are a mechanism that encapsulates a group of classes, sub-packages and interfaces. Packages are used for: Prevent naming conflicts by allowing classes with the same name to exist in different packages, like college.staff.cse.Employee and college.staff.ee.Employee.They make it easier
8 min read
Java InterfaceAn Interface in Java programming language is defined as an abstract type used to specify the behaviour of a class. An interface in Java is a blueprint of a behaviour. A Java interface contains static constants and abstract methods. Key Properties of Interface:The interface in Java is a mechanism to
11 min read
Collections
Exception Handling
Java Exception HandlingException handling in Java is an effective mechanism for managing runtime errors to ensure the application's regular flow is maintained. Some Common examples of exceptions include ClassNotFoundException, IOException, SQLException, RemoteException, etc. By handling these exceptions, Java enables deve
8 min read
Java Try Catch BlockA try-catch block in Java is a mechanism to handle exceptions. This make sure that the application continues to run even if an error occurs. The code inside the try block is executed, and if any exception occurs, it is then caught by the catch block.Example: Here, we are going to handle the Arithmet
4 min read
Java final, finally and finalizeIn Java, the final, finally, and finalize keywords play an important role in exception handling. The main difference between final, finally, and finalize is listed below:final: The final is the keyword that can be used for immutability and restrictions in variables, methods, and classes.finally: The
4 min read
Chained Exceptions in JavaChained Exceptions in Java allow associating one exception with another, i.e. one exception describes the cause of another exception. For example, consider a situation in which a method throws an ArithmeticException because of an attempt to divide by zero.But the root cause of the error was an I/O f
3 min read
Null Pointer Exception in JavaA NullPointerException in Java is a RuntimeException. It occurs when a program attempts to use an object reference that has the null value. In Java, "null" is a special value that can be assigned to object references to indicate the absence of a value.Reasons for Null Pointer ExceptionA NullPointerE
5 min read
Exception Handling with Method Overriding in JavaIn Java, an exception is an unwanted or unexpected event that occurs during a program's execution, i.e., at runtime, and disrupts the normal flow of the programâs instructions. Exception handling in Java handles runtime errors and helps maintain the program's normal flow by using constructs like try
5 min read
Java Advanced
Java Multithreading TutorialThreads are the backbone of multithreading. We are living in the real world which in itself is caught on the web surrounded by lots of applications. With the advancement in technologies, we cannot achieve the speed required to run them simultaneously unless we introduce the concept of multi-tasking
15+ min read
Synchronization in JavaIn multithreading, synchronization is important to make sure multiple threads safely work on shared resources. Without synchronization, data can become inconsistent or corrupted if multiple threads access and modify shared variables at the same time. In Java, it is a mechanism that ensures that only
10 min read
File Handling in JavaIn Java, with the help of File Class, we can work with files. This File Class is inside the java.io package. The File class can be used to create an object of the class and then specifying the name of the file.Why File Handling is Required?File Handling is an integral part of any programming languag
6 min read
Java Method ReferencesIn Java, a method is a collection of statements that perform some specific task and return the result to the caller. A method reference is the shorthand syntax for a lambda expression that contains just one method call. In general, one does not have to pass arguments to method references.Why Use Met
9 min read
Java 8 Stream TutorialJava 8 introduces Stream, which is a new abstract layer, and some new additional packages in Java 8 called java.util.stream. A Stream is a sequence of components that can be processed sequentially. These packages include classes, interfaces, and enum to allow functional-style operations on the eleme
15+ min read
Java NetworkingWhen computing devices such as laptops, desktops, servers, smartphones, and tablets and an eternally-expanding arrangement of IoT gadgets such as cameras, door locks, doorbells, refrigerators, audio/visual systems, thermostats, and various sensors are sharing information and data with each other is
15+ min read
JDBC TutorialJDBC stands for Java Database Connectivity. JDBC is a Java API or tool used in Java applications to interact with the database. It is a specification from Sun Microsystems that provides APIs for Java applications to communicate with different databases. Interfaces and Classes for JDBC API comes unde
12 min read
Java Memory ManagementJava memory management is the process by which the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) automatically handles the allocation and deallocation of memory. It uses a garbage collector to reclaim memory by removing unused objects, eliminating the need for manual memory managementJVM Memory StructureJVM defines va
4 min read
Garbage Collection in JavaGarbage collection in Java is an automatic memory management process that helps Java programs run efficiently. Java programs compile to bytecode that can be run on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). When Java programs run on the JVM, objects in the heap are created, which is a portion of memory dedicated
7 min read
Memory Leaks in JavaIn programming, a memory leak happens when a program keeps using memory but does not give it back when it's done. It simply means the program slowly uses more and more memory, which can make things slow and even stop working. Working of Memory Management in JavaJava has automatic garbage collection,
3 min read
Practice Java
Java Interview Questions and AnswersJava is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, known for its versatility, portability, and wide range of applications. Java is the most used language in top companies such as Uber, Airbnb, Google, Netflix, Instagram, Spotify, Amazon, and many more because of its features and per
15+ min read
Java Programs - Java Programming ExamplesIn this article, we will learn and prepare for Interviews using Java Programming Examples. From basic Java programs like the Fibonacci series, Prime numbers, Factorial numbers, and Palindrome numbers to advanced Java programs.Java is one of the most popular programming languages today because of its
8 min read
Java Exercises - Basic to Advanced Java Practice Programs with SolutionsLooking for Java exercises to test your Java skills, then explore our topic-wise Java practice exercises? Here you will get 25 plus practice problems that help to upscale your Java skills. As we know Java is one of the most popular languages because of its robust and secure nature. But, programmers
7 min read
Java Quiz | Level Up Your Java SkillsThe best way to scale up your coding skills is by practicing the exercise. And if you are a Java programmer looking to test your Java skills and knowledge? Then, this Java quiz is designed to challenge your understanding of Java programming concepts and assess your excellence in the language. In thi
1 min read
Top 50 Java Project Ideas For Beginners and Advanced [Update 2025]Java is one of the most popular and versatile programming languages, known for its reliability, security, and platform independence. Developed by James Gosling in 1982, Java is widely used across industries like big data, mobile development, finance, and e-commerce.Building Java projects is an excel
15+ min read