How to Use endswith in Python: Syntax and Examples

In Python, use the endswith() method on a string to check if it ends with a specific suffix or any suffix from a tuple. It returns True if the string ends with the given suffix, otherwise False.

Syntax

The endswith() method is called on a string and takes one or two arguments:

• suffix: A string or a tuple of strings to check if the original string ends with any of them.
• start (optional): The position in the string to start checking.
• end (optional): The position in the string to stop checking.

The method returns True if the string ends with the suffix, otherwise False.

python

string.endswith(suffix[, start[, end]])

Example

This example shows how to use endswith() to check if a string ends with a specific suffix or any suffix from a tuple.

python

filename = "report.pdf"

# Check if filename ends with '.pdf'
print(filename.endswith('.pdf'))  # True

# Check if filename ends with either '.doc' or '.pdf'
print(filename.endswith(('.doc', '.pdf')))  # True

# Using start and end parameters
text = "Hello world!"
print(text.endswith('world!', 0, 12))  # True
print(text.endswith('world', 0, 11))   # False

Output

True
True
True
False

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when using endswith() include:

• Passing a list instead of a tuple for multiple suffixes, which causes a TypeError.
• Forgetting that endswith() is case-sensitive.
• Misusing the start and end parameters, which define the substring to check, not the suffix itself.

python

filename = "example.TXT"

# Wrong: using list instead of tuple
# print(filename.endswith(['.txt', '.doc']))  # Raises TypeError

# Right: use tuple
print(filename.endswith(('.TXT', '.DOC')))  # True

# Case-sensitive check
print(filename.endswith('.txt'))  # False

# Using start and end incorrectly
text = "Hello world!"
# This checks substring from index 6 to 11
print(text.endswith('world', 6, 11))  # True
# But this will be False because substring is 'world!'
print(text.endswith('world', 6, 12))  # False

Output

True
False
True
False

Quick Reference

Usage	Description
string.endswith(suffix)	Returns True if string ends with suffix
string.endswith((s1, s2))	Returns True if string ends with any suffix in tuple
string.endswith(suffix, start, end)	Checks substring from start to end for suffix

Key Takeaways

Use endswith() to check if a string ends with a specific suffix or any from a tuple.

endswith() is case-sensitive and returns a boolean.

Pass a tuple, not a list, when checking multiple suffixes.

Optional start and end parameters limit the substring checked.

Common errors include wrong argument types and misunderstanding start/end usage.