How to Remove Element by Index from List in Python

To remove an element by index from a list in Python, use the pop(index) method which removes and returns the element at the given index. Alternatively, use the del statement to delete the element at that index without returning it.

Syntax

There are two main ways to remove an element by index from a list:

• list.pop(index): Removes and returns the element at index. If no index is given, it removes the last element.
• del list[index]: Deletes the element at index without returning it.

python

my_list.pop(index)
del my_list[index]

Example

This example shows how to remove elements by index using both pop() and del. It prints the list before and after removal.

python

my_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'date']

# Remove element at index 1 using pop
removed = my_list.pop(1)
print(f"Removed element: {removed}")
print(f"List after pop: {my_list}")

# Remove element at index 2 using del
del my_list[2]
print(f"List after del: {my_list}")

Output

Removed element: banana
List after pop: ['apple', 'cherry', 'date']
List after del: ['apple', 'cherry']

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes include:

• Using an index that is out of range, which causes an IndexError.
• Confusing pop() with remove(). pop() removes by index, remove() removes by value.
• Expecting del to return the removed element; it does not.

python

my_list = [10, 20, 30]

# Wrong: Index out of range
# my_list.pop(5)  # Raises IndexError

# Correct: Check length before popping
if len(my_list) > 2:
    removed = my_list.pop(2)
    print(f"Removed: {removed}")

Output

Removed: 30

Quick Reference

Method	Description	Returns Removed Element?
list.pop(index)	Removes and returns element at index	Yes
del list[index]	Deletes element at index without returning	No

Key Takeaways

Use list.pop(index) to remove and get the element at a specific index.

Use del list[index] to remove an element without returning it.

Avoid IndexError by ensuring the index exists in the list before removing.

pop() removes by index; remove() removes by value—do not confuse them.

del does not return the removed element, unlike pop.