How to Use print in Kotlin: Syntax and Examples

In Kotlin, you use print() to display text without a newline and println() to print text followed by a newline. Both functions output text to the standard output (console).

Syntax

The print() function outputs text to the console without moving to a new line, while println() prints the text and then moves to the next line. You can pass any value or expression inside the parentheses.

kotlin

fun print(value: Any?)
fun println(value: Any?)

Example

This example shows how to use print() and println() to display text and numbers on the console.

kotlin

fun main() {
    print("Hello, ")
    print("world!")
    println() // moves to next line
    println("Welcome to Kotlin.")
    println(123)
}

Output

Hello, world!
Welcome to Kotlin.
123

Common Pitfalls

A common mistake is expecting print() to add a newline automatically, but it does not. Use println() when you want to move to the next line after printing. Also, forgetting to call println() after multiple print() calls can cause output to run together.

kotlin

fun main() {
    // Wrong: prints on the same line without space or newline
    print("Hello")
    print("World")

    // Right: adds space and newline
    print("Hello ")
    println("World")
}

Output

HelloWorld
Hello World

Quick Reference

• print(value): Prints value without newline.
• println(value): Prints value with newline.
• Use println() with no arguments to just print a newline.

Key Takeaways

Use print() to output text without moving to a new line.

Use println() to print text and then move to the next line.

Remember print() does not add spaces or newlines automatically.

Use println() with no arguments to print a blank line.

Both functions accept any value and convert it to string automatically.