How to Use shape in pandas to Check DataFrame Size

In pandas, use the shape attribute on a DataFrame or Series to get its size as a tuple (rows, columns). For example, df.shape returns the number of rows and columns in the DataFrame df.

Syntax

The shape attribute returns a tuple representing the dimensions of a pandas DataFrame or Series.

• df.shape: Returns (number of rows, number of columns) for a DataFrame.
• series.shape: Returns (number of elements,) for a Series.

python

df.shape

Example

This example shows how to create a DataFrame and use shape to find its size.

python

import pandas as pd

data = {'Name': ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Charlie'], 'Age': [25, 30, 35]}
df = pd.DataFrame(data)

print('DataFrame shape:', df.shape)

# For a Series
ages = df['Age']
print('Series shape:', ages.shape)

Output

DataFrame shape: (3, 2)
Series shape: (3,)

Common Pitfalls

Some common mistakes when using shape include:

• Trying to call shape() as a function instead of using it as an attribute (no parentheses needed).
• Expecting shape to return a number instead of a tuple.
• Confusing the order: the first number is rows, the second is columns.

python

import pandas as pd

df = pd.DataFrame({'A': [1, 2], 'B': [3, 4]})

# Wrong: calling shape as a function
try:
    print(df.shape())
except TypeError as e:
    print('Error:', e)

# Right: use shape as attribute
print('Correct shape:', df.shape)

Output

Error: 'tuple' object is not callable
Correct shape: (2, 2)

Quick Reference

Usage	Description	Example Output
df.shape	Returns (rows, columns) tuple of DataFrame size	(3, 2)
series.shape	Returns (length,) tuple of Series size	(3,)
Incorrect: df.shape()	Calling shape as function causes error	TypeError
Order of tuple	First element is rows, second is columns	rows=3, columns=2

Key Takeaways

Use shape without parentheses to get DataFrame or Series size.

shape returns a tuple: (rows, columns) for DataFrames, (length,) for Series.

Remember the first number is rows, the second is columns in DataFrames.

Calling shape() as a function causes a TypeError.

Use shape to quickly check data size before analysis.