How to Create a List of n Same Elements in Python

In Python, you can create a list with n copies of the same element by using the multiplication operator on a single-element list like [element] * n. This creates a new list where the element repeats n times.

Syntax

The syntax to create a list of n same elements is:

• [element] * n: Creates a list with the element repeated n times.

Here, element can be any value (number, string, object), and n is an integer specifying how many times to repeat it.

python

[element] * n

Example

This example creates a list of 5 zeros and prints it:

python

zeros = [0] * 5
print(zeros)

Output

[0, 0, 0, 0, 0]

Common Pitfalls

When the element is a mutable object like a list, using [element] * n creates multiple references to the same object. Changing one will change all. To avoid this, use a loop or list comprehension to create separate copies.

python

wrong = [[0]] * 3
wrong[0][0] = 1
print(wrong)  # All sublists changed

right = [[0] for _ in range(3)]
right[0][0] = 1
print(right)  # Only first sublist changed

Output

[[1], [1], [1]]
[[1], [0], [0]]

Quick Reference

• [element] * n: Repeat immutable elements safely.
• For mutable elements, use list comprehension: [copy_of_element for _ in range(n)].
• Works with numbers, strings, tuples, and other immutable types.

Key Takeaways

Use [element] * n to create a list with n copies of the same element.

This method works best with immutable elements like numbers or strings.

For mutable elements, avoid shared references by using list comprehensions.

Changing one mutable element in a multiplied list changes all references.

List comprehension creates independent copies for mutable elements.