Elif Chains

Handle multiple conditions with elif

Elif Chains — Checking Multiple Conditions

What Is It?

Sometimes you need to check more than two possibilities. elif (short for "else if") lets you chain multiple conditions together. Python checks each condition in order, and runs the first one that's True.

Syntax

python

score = 85

if score >= 90:
    grade = "A"
elif score >= 80:
    grade = "B"
elif score >= 70:
    grade = "C"
elif score >= 60:
    grade = "D"
else:
    grade = "F"

print(f"Grade: {grade}")

How It Works

For score = 85, Python goes step by step:

`85 >= 90`? → **False** ❌ — skip the A block

`85 >= 80`? → **True** ✅ — runs this block, sets grade to "B"

**Skips** all remaining `elif` and `else` blocks

Prints: `Grade: B`

� **Only ONE block runs.** Once Python finds a True condition, it runs that block and jumps to the end of the entire if/elif/else chain. It does NOT check the rest.

Key Rules

**Order matters!** Put the most specific conditions first. If you checked `score >= 60` before `score >= 90`, anyone with 90+ would match `>= 60` first — getting a D instead of an A!

**`else` is optional** — use it as a catch-all for "none of the above"

You can have as many `elif` blocks as you need

Why Use Elif?

Any time you have multiple categories based on a value:

**Grading** — A/B/C/D/F based on score range

**Time of day** — morning/afternoon/evening/night

**Price tiers** — budget/mid-range/premium/luxury

**Error levels** — info/warning/error/critical

Common Mistakes

❌ Wrong	Why	✅ Right
`if ... elif ... if ...` instead of `elif`	Using `if` again creates a NEW separate check	Use `elif` for chained conditions
Checking `>= 60` before `>= 90`	The 90+ students match `>= 60` first!	Order from highest to lowest
`elif (score >= 80):`	Works but extra parens are unnecessary	`elif score >= 80:`

Your Turn!

Write a program that takes a temperature (in Celsius) and prints:

`"Freezing"` if temp is 0 or below

`"Cold"` if temp is between 1 and 15

`"Warm"` if temp is between 16 and 25

`"Hot"` if temp is 26 or above

Use if/elif/else structure with order from most extreme to least.

💡Need a hint? (3 available)

#1Check the most extreme condition first (highest temp)

#2Use elif between each condition

#3Use else as the catch-all at the end

🔑Show solution (try it yourself first!)

temp = 20
if temp <= 0:
    print("Freezing")
elif temp <= 15:
    print("Cold")
elif temp <= 25:
    print("Warm")
else:
    print("Hot")

✏️ Code Editor

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📤 Output

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