Java for Loop

In this tutorial, we will learn how to use for loop in Java with the help of
examples and we will also learn about the working of Loop in computer
programming.

In computer programming, loops are used to repeat a block of code. For

example, if you want to show a message 100 times, then rather than
typing the same code 100 times, you can use a loop.

In Java, there are three types of loops.

• for loop

• while loop
• do...while loop
This tutorial focuses on the for loop. You will learn about the other type of
loops in the upcoming tutorials.

Java for Loop

Java for loop is used to run a block of code for a certain number of times. The
syntax of for loop is:

for (initialExpression; testExpression; updateExpression) {

// body of the loop
}

Here,

1. The initialExpression initializes and/or declares variables and executes only

once.
2. The condition is evaluated. If the condition is true , the body of the for loop is
executed.
3. The updateExpression updates the value of initialExpression.
4. The condition is evaluated again. The process continues until
the condition is false .
To learn more about the conditions, visit Java relational and logical operators.

Flowchart of Java for loop

Example 1: Display a Text Five Times

// Program to print a text 5 times

class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {

int n = 5;
// for loop
for (int i = 1; i <= n; ++i) {
System.out.println("Java is fun");
}
}
}
Run Code

Output

Java is fun
Java is fun
Java is fun
Java is fun
Java is fun

Here is how this program works.

Iteration Variable Condition: i <= n Action

i = 1 Java is fun is printed.

1st true
n = 5 i is increased to 2.

i = 2 Java is fun is printed.

2nd true
n = 5 i is increased to 3.

i = 3 Java is fun is printed.

3rd true
n = 5 i is increased to 4.

i = 4 Java is fun is printed.

4th true
n = 5 i is increased to 5.

i = 5 Java is fun is printed.

5th true
n = 5 i is increased to 6.

i = 6
6th false The loop is terminated.
n = 5
Example 2: Display numbers from 1 to 5
// Program to print numbers from 1 to 5

class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {

int n = 5;
// for loop
for (int i = 1; i <= n; ++i) {
System.out.println(i);
}
}
}
Run Code

Output

1
2
3
4
5

Here is how the program works.

Iteration Variable Condition: i <= n Action

i = 1 1 is printed.
1st true
n = 5 i is increased to 2.

i = 2 2 is printed.
2nd true
n = 5 i is increased to 3.

i = 3 3 is printed.
3rd true
n = 5 i is increased to 4.

i = 4 4 is printed.
4th true
n = 5 i is increased to 5.
 i = 5 5 is printed.
5th true
n = 5 i is increased to 6.

i = 6
6th false The loop is terminated.
n = 5

Example 3: Display Sum of n Natural Numbers

// Program to find the sum of natural numbers from 1 to 1000.

class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {

int sum = 0;
int n = 1000;

// for loop
for (int i = 1; i <= n; ++i) {
// body inside for loop
sum += i; // sum = sum + i
}

System.out.println("Sum = " + sum);

}
}
Run Code

Output:

Sum = 500500

Here, the value of sum is 0 initially. Then, the for loop is iterated from i = 1 to

1000 . In each iteration, i is added to sum and its value is increased by 1.

When i becomes 1001, the test condition is false and sum will be equal to 0 +

1 + 2 + .... + 1000 .
The above program to add the sum of natural numbers can also be written as

// Program to find the sum of natural numbers from 1 to 1000.

class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {

int sum = 0;
int n = 1000;

// for loop
for (int i = n; i >= 1; --i) {
// body inside for loop
sum += i; // sum = sum + i
}

System.out.println("Sum = " + sum);

}
}
Run Code

The output of this program is the same as the Example 3.

Java for-each Loop

The Java for loop has an alternative syntax that makes it easy to iterate
through arrays and collections. For example,
// print array elements

class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {

// create an array
int[] numbers = {3, 7, 5, -5};

// iterating through the array

for (int number: numbers) {
System.out.println(number);
}
}
}
Run Code

Output

3
7
5
-5

Here, we have used the for-each loop to print each element of

the numbers array one by one.
In the first iteration of the loop, number will be 3, number will be 7 in second
iteration and so on.
To learn more, visit Java for-each Loop.

Java Infinite for Loop

If we set the test expression in such a way that it never evaluates to false ,
the for loop will run forever. This is called infinite for loop. For example,
// Infinite for Loop

class Infinite {
public static void main(String[] args) {

int sum = 0;

for (int i = 1; i <= 10; --i) {

System.out.println("Hello");
}
}
}
Run Code

Here, the test expression , i <= 10 , is never false and Hello is printed
repeatedly until the memory runs out.