How to Use Logical Operators in Python

Introduction

Logical Operators in Python: Alright, so you’re learning Python — that’s awesome! One important thing you’ll need to understand is how to make decisions in your code. Just like we do in real life.

Let’s say:

• You want to watch a movie only if you finished your homework and your friend is free.
• Or maybe you want to order food if you’re hungry or tired.

See those and and or words? That’s exactly what logical operators do in Python. They help your code say things like:

• “If both conditions are true, do this.”
• “Only one condition needs to be true for this to run.”
• “Skip this if the condition isn’t true.”

In Python, we use just three simple logical operators:

• and
• or
• not

That’s it! But with just these three, you can do a lot.

In this guide, I’m going to teach you how each one works, with simple examples that actually make sense. We’ll try things out like you’re coding along with me.

Ready? Let’s start with and — the one that checks if two things are true at the same time.

What Are Logical Operators in Python?

Logical operators in Python are special keywords that help your program make decisions. They connect two or more conditions and check whether they’re true or false. Based on that, Python decides what to do next.

You use logical operators when you want your program to check multiple things at once — like whether a user is logged in and has admin rights, or whether a value is too high or too low.

Python has three core logical operators:

• and – returns True only if both conditions are true
• or – returns True if at least one condition is true
• not – flips the result; returns True if the condition is not true

These are called logical operators because they work with Boolean logic — the part of programming that deals with True and False.

Logical Operators in Python Symbol Table

Here’s a quick look at the logical operators in Python symbol and what they mean:

Simple, right? You’ll use these all the time once you get the hang of them.

Up next, I’ll show you how and works with a few examples, so you can actually see it in action.

Logical Operators in Python with Examples

Using and in Python

Let’s start with the and operator.

In everyday language, you might say:
“If I finish my homework and it’s not raining, I’ll go outside.”

In this sentence, you’re only going out if both things happen. That’s exactly what and does in Python. It checks if two (or more) conditions are true at the same time.

Let’s look at a simple example:

x = 5

if x > 2 and x < 10:
    print("x is between 2 and 10")

Let me walk you through this line by line:

• x = 5: We’re setting a variable x to the value 5.
• if x > 2 and x < 10::
  This is the condition we’re checking. Let’s break this down:
  • First part: x > 2 → Is 5 greater than 2? Yes! So this is True.
  • Second part: x < 10 → Is 5 less than 10? Also yes! So this is True too.
  • Now, because both conditions are True, the entire if statement is considered True.

So Python goes ahead and runs the print() line, giving you this output:

x is between 2 and 10

What if only one condition is true?

Let’s change the value of x and see what happens:

x = 12

if x > 2 and x < 10:
    print("x is between 2 and 10")

Let’s go through it again:

• We assign x = 12, so now x is 12.
• Next, x > 2 checks if 12 is greater than 2 — and that’s True.
• Then we try x < 10. Since 12 isn’t less than 10, the result is False.

Now here’s the key part:
Even though one condition is true, the and operator needs both to be true. Since the second part is false, the whole condition is false.

So what happens?
Python does not run the print() statement, and you get no output.

One more example to really lock it in:

age = 20
has_ticket = True

if age >= 18 and has_ticket:
    print("You can enter the event.")

Here:

• age >= 18 → 20 is greater than or equal to 18 → True
• has_ticket → is already True

Since both conditions are true, the message gets printed:

You can enter the event.

But if has_ticket = False, then the condition fails — and you don’t get in.

In short:
Use and when you want all conditions to be true before something happens.

Up next, we’ll look at or, which works a little differently — you only need one condition to be true.

Using or in Python

The or operator helps your program make a decision when you only need one condition to be true.

Here’s a simple way to understand it:

“If this happens or that happens, do something.”

If either condition is true, the result is true.

A Simple Example

x = 12

if x < 10 or x > 11:
    print("x is either less than 10 or greater than 11")

Let’s break it down:

• x = 12 → We’re saying x is 12
• The first condition is x < 10 → Is 12 less than 10? No. So this is False
• The second condition is x > 11 → Is 12 greater than 11? Yes. So this is True

Now, because we’re using or, only one of these conditions needs to be true.
Since the second one is true, the whole condition is considered True.
So Python runs the print() line and shows:

x is either less than 10 or greater than 11

What if both conditions are false?

x = 8

if x < 5 or x > 15:
    print("x is outside the 5 to 15 range")

• x = 8
• Is 8 less than 5? No
• Is 8 greater than 15? No

Now both conditions are false, so Python skips the print() line.
You see no output.

Real-Life Example

Let’s say it’s the weekend or a holiday. You want to sleep in if either one is true.

is_weekend = True
is_holiday = False

if is_weekend or is_holiday:
    print("You can sleep in today!")

• is_weekend is True
• is_holiday is False

Because one of them is True, the message prints:

You can sleep in today!

If both were False, nothing would print.

The key idea is this:
With or, you just need one condition to be true for the whole thing to be true.

Using not in Python

The not keyword is used when you want to say “only if something is not true.”
It basically flips the meaning of a condition.

Let me show you:

• If something is True, not makes it False.
• If something is False, not makes it True.

Think of it like this:

Let’s say there’s a rule:

“If you’re not tired, you can go play.”

That means:

• If you’re tired, you can’t go play.
• But if you’re not tired, you can.

In Python, we use not the same way.

A Simple Code Example

is_tired = False

if not is_tired:
    print("You can go play!")

What’s going on here?

• is_tired = False (you are not tired)
• not is_tired means: “Is it true that you’re not tired?” → Yes!

So Python runs the code and prints:

You can go play!

Another Example

is_logged_in = True

if not is_logged_in:
    print("Please log in.")
else:
    print("Welcome back!")

Here:

• is_logged_in = True (you are logged in)
• not is_logged_in → “You are not logged in?” → No, that’s not true.
• So Python goes to the else part and prints:

Welcome back!

Why do we use not?

Because sometimes we want to check if something is not happening.
It makes our code easier to read.

Examples:

• not raining → it’s dry outside
• not finished → still working on it

One last example:

is_daytime = False

if not is_daytime:
    print("It's night time!")

Output:

It's night time!

Remember:

• not True → False
• not False → True

That’s it!

Comparison Operators in Python vs Logical Operators

What Are Comparison Operators?

Comparison operators in Python are used to compare values.
They help you ask questions like:

• Is one number bigger than another?
• Are two things equal?
• Are they not equal?

Here are the main comparison operators you’ll use:

How Logical and Comparison Operators Work Together

Now here’s the cool part: you can combine comparison operators using logical operators like and, or, and not.

Let’s say you want to check if a number is between 5 and 15.
That means:

• The number must be greater than 5
• And it must be less than 15

Here’s how you write that in Python:

x = 10

if x > 5 and x < 15:
    print("x is in range")

What’s happening?

• x > 5 → Is 10 greater than 5? Yes
• x < 15 → Is 10 less than 15? Yes
• Both are True, and since we’re using and, the final result is True

So Python prints:

x is in range

Let’s try one with or

age = 17

if age < 13 or age > 65:
    print("You get a discount!")

This checks:

• If the person is younger than 13
• Or older than 65

Since 17 is neither, nothing gets printed.
But if age = 10, then you’d see:

You get a discount!

Quick Summary

• Comparison operators check individual conditions
• Logical operators combine those conditions to make smarter decisions

You’ll often use both together in if statements to control how your program behaves.

Assignment Operators in Python: Are They Logical?

Short answer: No, assignment operators are not logical operators.

But they’re super important, and you’ll often see them used alongside logical and comparison operators—especially inside if statements or loops.

What Are Assignment Operators?

Assignment operators are used to store values in variables or update those values.

Here’s a quick list of common assignment operators:

So, for example:

x = 10
x += 5
print(x)  # Output: 15

You’re just saying: “Take whatever is in x, add 5 to it, and store it back in x.”

Why They’re Not Logical Operators

Logical operators like and, or, and not are used to check if something is true or false.
Assignment operators, like = or +=, are used to set or update values.

Here’s a simple way to remember:

• Assignment = change a value
• Logical = check a condition

But… They Can Work Together

Here’s how assignment and logical operators often appear in the same code:

x = 7

if x > 5 and x < 10:
    x += 1  # This is an assignment operator
    print("x is now:", x)

• x > 5 and x < 10 → this is a logical check
• x += 1 → this is an assignment

They’re just doing different jobs.

x = 3       # assignment
if x == 3:  # comparison
    print("x is 3")

Must Read

• Global and Local Variables in Python: A Complete Guide
• How to Return Multiple Values from a Function in Python
• Parameter Passing Techniques in Python: A Complete Guide
• A Complete Guide to Python Function Arguments
• How to Create and Use Functions in Python

Bitwise Operators in Python vs Logical Operators

Bitwise Operators Overview

Bitwise operators in Python work with bits—the 1s and 0s that make up numbers inside the computer.

Here are the most common bitwise operators:

These might sound a bit tricky at first—but don’t worry. You’ll understand them better when you see how they’re different from logical operators.

Logical vs Bitwise: What’s the Difference?

Here’s the key:

• Logical operators like and, or, and not work with True and False (Boolean values).
• Bitwise operators like &, |, ^, and ~ work with numbers at the bit level (0s and 1s).

Let’s compare them side by side using examples.

Example 1: Logical AND vs Bitwise AND

# Logical AND
print(True and False)  # Output: False

This checks: Are both True? No. So the result is False.

# Bitwise AND
print(1 & 0)  # Output: 0

This looks at the bits:

• 1 in binary = 0001
• 0 in binary = 0000

Bitwise AND:

  0001
& 0000
= 0000  → which is 0

Example 2: Logical OR vs Bitwise OR

# Logical OR
print(True or False)  # Output: True

This says: Is at least one value True? Yes → True.

# Bitwise OR
print(1 | 0)  # Output: 1

Bitwise OR:

  0001
| 0000
= 0001  → which is 1

Example 3: Bitwise XOR

print(1 ^ 0)  # Output: 1
print(1 ^ 1)  # Output: 0

• ^ means “either 1 or the other is 1, but not both.”
• So 1 ^ 0 = 1
• And 1 ^ 1 = 0

Example 4: Bitwise NOT

x = 2
print(~x)  # Output: -3

This one flips the bits of the number. It’s a little advanced because it also uses something called two’s complement, which is how computers handle negative numbers.

But for now, just know that ~x means: flip all the bits in x.

Quick Summary

You’ll use logical operators more in everyday conditions (if statements).
Bitwise operators are handy when dealing with things like low-level data or binary logic.

Membership Operators in Python and Logic Operators in Python

Using in and not in in Python

Python gives us two special membership operators:

• in
• not in

These are used to check if a value exists inside something, like a list, string, or dictionary.

What Do They Mean?

Let’s go through an example together.

Example: Checking Items in a List

fruits = ['apple', 'banana']

if 'apple' in fruits and 'cherry' not in fruits:
    print("Apple is there, cherry is not.")

What’s happening here?

• We created a list called fruits that has 'apple' and 'banana'.
• Then we used:
  • 'apple' in fruits → This checks: Is 'apple' in the list? ✅ Yes
  • 'cherry' not in fruits → This checks: Is 'cherry' NOT in the list? ✅ Yes
• Both conditions are True, and since we used and, the print() statement runs.

Output:

Apple is there, cherry is not.

Where Can You Use in and not in?

You can use these with:

• Lists
• Strings
• Tuples
• Dictionaries

Example with a string:

name = "Alexander"
if 'x' in name:
    print("The letter 'x' is in the name!")

Example with a dictionary (keys only):

student = {'name': 'Lara', 'age': 20}
if 'name' in student:
    print("Name key is found!")

How It Connects with Logical Operators

You can combine in and not in with and, or, and not to build more complex conditions.

For example:

colors = ['red', 'blue']

if 'red' in colors or 'green' in colors:
    print("At least one color is there.")

This prints because 'red' in colors is True.

Wrapping Up: Why Logical Operators Matter in Python

Logical operators like and, or, and not may seem simple, but they are a big part of writing smart, decision-making code in Python. They help your programs make choices—like whether to run a block of code or not—based on conditions you set.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Use and when both conditions must be true.
• Use or when at least one condition should be true.
• Use not to reverse a condition (True becomes False, and vice versa).

You also learned how logical operators can combine with comparison operators, work inside if statements, and team up with membership operators like in and not in to check if a value exists.

Understanding these basics gives you the power to control how your code behaves. It’s like teaching your program how to think clearly!

If you’re just getting started with Python, practice writing your own conditions. Try mixing and, or, and not with different variables and values. The more you use them, the easier it gets.

Want to explore more Python topics step by step?
👉 Check out more guides at emitechlogic.com for hands-on tutorials

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FAQs

External Resources

Python Official Documentation – Boolean Operations
https://docs.python.org/3/library/stdtypes.html#boolean-operations-and-or-not
→ A detailed explanation of and, or, and not with Python’s official syntax and rules.

About The Author

Emmimal Alexander

Emmimal Alexander is an AI & Machine Learning Expert, passionate educator, and the author of “Neural Networks and Deep Learning with Python.” As the founder of EmiTechLogic, she’s on a mission to make complex tech topics accessible, engaging, and empowering for learners at every level.

With deep expertise in Python, HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, Emmimal brings a strong coding foundation to her tutorials and educational resources. Her work focuses on blending theoretical understanding with real-world application—so readers not only learn how things work, but also why they matter.

Through EmiTechLogic, she creates hands-on guides, detailed breakdowns, and project-based learning content that bridges the gap between academic concepts and practical implementation. Whether you’re exploring AI for the first time or fine-tuning your neural networks, you’re in the right place.

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