Python Escape Characters and Raw Strings

How do you put a line break inside a string? Or a double quote inside a string that's already wrapped in double quotes? Python escape characters solve both problems. In this lesson, you'll learn the most useful escape sequences, how to print quotes and backslashes, and how raw strings save you from headaches with Windows file paths.

What is an escape character in Python?

An escape character is a backslash \ placed before another character to give it a special meaning. The backslash plus the next character is called an escape sequence. Python reads the pair as one special character.

print("Line one\nLine two")
print("Name:\tAisha")

Line one
Line two
Name:	Aisha

\n started a new line, and \t inserted a tab, a wide gap that's used to line text up.

Common Python escape sequences

print(len("a\nb"))
print(len("a\\b"))

3
3

How do you print quotes inside a string?

You have three options. As you saw in Python strings, the easiest is to wrap the text in the other kind of quote. When your text contains both kinds, escape the one that matches the outer quotes:

print("The sign said \"No parking\".")
print('Don\'t forget your umbrella.')
print("It's called \"the Big Apple\".")

The sign said "No parking".
Don't forget your umbrella.
It's called "the Big Apple".

Triple quotes are the third option. They let you use both kinds of quotes freely, as long as the text doesn't contain three in a row:

print("""She asked, "Isn't it late?" and we laughed.""")

She asked, "Isn't it late?" and we laughed.

How do you print a backslash in Python?

Because a backslash starts an escape sequence, a single real backslash has to be written as \\:

print("Path: C:\\Users\\Kim\\Music")
print("Use \\n to start a new line")

Path: C:\Users\Kim\Music
Use \n to start a new line

New lines and tabs in practice

One string with \n can print a whole block of lines, and \t can line up simple columns:

ticket = "FLIGHT TICKET\nFrom:\tMadrid\nTo:\tChicago\nSeat:\t14C"
print(ticket)

FLIGHT TICKET
From:	Madrid
To:	Chicago
Seat:	14C

Tabs jump to the next "tab stop" (usually every 8 characters), so short labels line up nicely. For precise, guaranteed alignment, use the width options in f-strings, like {label:<8}.

You've actually met \n before: it's the default value of print()'s end parameter, from the Python print() function. That's why every print() starts a new line.

What is a raw string in Python?

A raw string is a string with an r before the opening quote. In a raw string, backslashes are just ordinary characters, so escape sequences are turned off.

print("Tab:\tdone")
print(r"Tab:\tdone")

Tab:	done
Tab:\tdone

Why use raw strings for Windows paths?

Windows file paths are full of backslashes, and some of them accidentally form escape sequences. Watch what happens to this folder name:

folder = "C:\new_photos\trip"
print(folder)

C:
ew_photos	rip

\n became a line break and \t became a tab, so the path is broken. Fix it with a raw string, or by doubling every backslash:

folder = r"C:\new_photos\trip"
same_folder = "C:\\new_photos\\trip"
print(folder)
print(folder == same_folder)

C:\new_photos\trip
True

Raw strings and regular expressions (a preview)

Regular expressions (regex) are mini-patterns for searching text, like "find every 5-digit number". They use lots of backslashes, such as \d for "any digit". Writing patterns as raw strings keeps those backslashes intact:

pattern = r"\d\d\d-\d\d\d\d"
print(pattern)
print(len(pattern))

\d\d\d-\d\d\d\d
15

You'll put patterns like this to work in Python regular expressions. For now, just remember: regex pattern means raw string.

Real-world example: printing a formatted message

guest = "Jordan"
note = "Bring your \"golden ticket\" to the front desk."
message = "Welcome, " + guest + "!\n\n\tCheck-in: 3 PM\n\tCheck-out: 11 AM\n\n" + note
print(message)

Welcome, Jordan!

	Check-in: 3 PM
	Check-out: 11 AM

Bring your "golden ticket" to the front desk.

Two \n in a row create an empty line, and \t indents the details.

Common mistakes with escape characters

1. Ending a raw string with a backslash

folder = r"C:\Users\Kim\"

SyntaxError: unterminated string literal (detected at line 1)

Even in a raw string, \" stops the quote from closing the string. Leave off the final backslash, or write "C:\\Users\\Kim\\".

2. Using a forward slash instead of a backslash

print("Hello/nWorld")

Hello/nWorld

Escape sequences always use the backslash \, the one above the Enter key on most keyboards.

3. Forgetting to escape a matching quote

print('It's sunny')

SyntaxError: unterminated string literal (detected at line 1)

The apostrophe closed the string early. Use "It's sunny" or 'It\'s sunny'.

4. Expecting a raw string to change how print() works

The r only changes how Python reads the text you typed in your code. It doesn't affect text that comes from input() or a file: a backslash typed by a user is already stored as a plain backslash.

Practice exercise

Grandma's "Famous" Pancakes
	1. Mix flour and milk
	2. Cook until golden
Saved to: C:\recipes\new

print("Grandma's \"Famous\" Pancakes\n\t1. Mix flour and milk\n\t2. Cook until golden\nSaved to: C:\\recipes\\new")

Grandma's "Famous" Pancakes
	1. Mix flour and milk
	2. Cook until golden
Saved to: C:\recipes\new

What's next?

That wraps up strings! Next, you'll teach your programs to make decisions with Python if, elif and else statements.