Python Return Values and Return Statement: A Complete Guide

By / February 1, 2026

Introduction: Python Return Value in Functions

Some functions perform a calculation or process a value that the rest of the program needs to use. For example, a function that calculates the total cost may need to give that total back so it can be stored, displayed, or used in another calculation.

The Python return statement solves the highlighted issue. Let’s understand how:

  1. What Is a Return Statement and Return Value?
  2. Returning a Value vs Printing a Value

1. What Is a Python Return Statement and Return Value?

Python Return Statement: It is a statement that ends a function’s execution and sends a value back to the code that called it. It can return the result of an expression, a variable, or another value.

Python Return Value: It is the value that a function sends back to the code that called it.

Return values are useful when the result of a function needs to be stored, used in a calculation or passed to another function.

Now, let’s look at a simple example to see how a function returns a value and how that value can be used.

def calculate_total(price, quantity):
    total = price * quantity
    return total

amount = calculate_total(50, 3)

print(amount)


# Output:
150

Explanation: The function calculates the total and uses the return statement (return total) to send the value back to the code that called it. The returned value is then assigned to amount.

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2. Returning a Value vs Printing a Value

Returning a value and printing a value are different. The print() function displays a value, while return sends a value back to the code that called the function.

Example

def add_with_return(a, b):
    return a + b

def add_with_print(a, b):
    print(a + b)

result = add_with_return(10, 5)
print(result)

add_with_print(10, 5)


# Output:
15
15

Explanation: Both functions display 15 in this example, but they work differently. The first function returns 15, so the value can be stored in result and used later. The second function only prints 15; it does not return the value to the calling code.

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How to Use Python Return Values

Once a function returns a value, that value can be used in several ways. It can be stored in a variable, used as part of an expression, or passed directly to another function.

Let’s look at each of these uses with simple examples.

  1. Storing a Return Value
  2. Using a Return Value in an Expression
  3. Passing a Return Value to Another Function

1. Storing a Return Value

You can assign a returned value to a variable and use it later in the program.

Example

def calculate_area(length, width):
    return length * width

area = calculate_area(10, 5)

print(area)


# Output:
50

Explanation: The function returns 50, and the program stores the value in the area variable. The program can then use the value wherever it needs the area.

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2. Using a Return Value in an Expression

You can also use a returned value directly in an expression without first storing it in a separate variable. For example, combine the returned value with another value in a calculation.

Example

def get_price():
    return 100

total = get_price() + 20

print(total)


# Output:
120

Explanation: The function returns 100, and the program adds it to 20. The program then assigns the result to total.

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3. Passing a Return Value to Another Function

You can also pass a returned value directly to another function as an argument.

Example

def get_number():
    return 10

def double(number):
    return number * 2

result = double(get_number())

print(result)


# Output:
20

Explanation: The get_number() function returns 10. That returned value is passed directly to double(), which receives it as the number parameter and returns 20.

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Functions With and Without Return Values

A function may or may not return a value. Some functions perform an action without returning a value, while others use the Python return statement to return a value that the rest of the program can use.

Let’s look at both types with simple examples.

  1. Function Without a Return Value
  2. Function With a Return Value

1. Function Without a Return Value

A function does not need to return a value. It can simply perform an action, such as displaying a message, without sending a value back to the code that called it.

Example

def greet():
    print("Hello, Python!")

greet()


# Output:
Hello, Python!

Explanation: The greet() function displays the message but does not return a value to the code that called it.

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2. Function With a Return Value

A function can return a value when the calling code needs to use the result produced by the function.

Example

def calculate_square(number):
    return number * number

result = calculate_square(5)

print(result)


# Output:
25

Explanation: The calculate_square() function calculates the square of 5 and returns 25. The program stores the returned value in the result variable and then prints it.

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What Happens When return Is Used?

When Python reaches a return statement, the function stops running and sends the specified value back to the code that called it. Any statements written after return in the same function do not run.

Let’s see what happens when a function reaches return and what happens when return is used without a value.

  1. Return Ends Function Execution
  2. Returning Without a Value

1. Return Ends Function Execution

When a function reaches a return statement, Python immediately ends that function’s execution. Any code written after the return statement does not run.

Example

def check_number():
    print("Before return")
    return 10
    print("After return")

result = check_number()

print(result)


# Output:
Before return
10

Explanation: The function prints Before return and then reaches return 10. Python ends the function at that point, so the print() statement after return does not run. The function returns 10, which is stored in result.

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2. Returning Without a Value

A return statement does not always need to include a value. When a function uses return without a value, Python ends the function and returns None.

Example

def check_number(number):
    if number < 0:
        return

    print("Number is positive")

check_number(-5)


# Output:

Explanation: When the function receives -5, the condition is true, so the return statement ends the function immediately. No value is returned explicitly, so Python returns None.

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Examples: Return Values

The following examples show different ways functions can produce Python return values and how those values can be used.

  1. Example 1: Returning a Calculated Value
  2. Example 2: Using a Returned Value
  3. Example 3: Returning Multiple Values
  4. Example 4: Returning Without a Value

Example 1. Returning a Calculated Value

A function can perform a calculation and return the result to the code that called it. 

def calculate_discount(price, discount):
    return price * discount / 100

discount_amount = calculate_discount(1000, 10)

print(discount_amount)


# Output:
100.0

Explanation: The parameters price and discount receive the arguments 1000 and 10. The function calculates the discount amount and returns the result, which is stored in discount_amount.

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Example 2. Using a Returned Value

A returned value can be stored in a variable and used later in the program. 

def calculate_total(price, quantity):
    return price * quantity

total = calculate_total(50, 3)
final_amount = total + 20

print(final_amount)


# Output:
170

Explanation: The function returns 150, which is stored in total. The returned value is then used to calculate final_amount.

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Example 3. Returning Multiple Values

A function can return more than one value. Python returns them together as a tuple. 

def calculate_values(a, b):
    total = a + b
    difference = a - b
    return total, difference

total, difference = calculate_values(10, 4)

print(total)
print(difference)

# Output:
14
6

Explanation: The function returns both total and difference. The returned values are assigned to the two variables on the left side of the assignment.

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Example 4. Using a Default Argument With a Return Value

A function can use a default argument and return the calculated result. 

def calculate_total(price, quantity=1):
    return price * quantity

total1 = calculate_total(100)
total2 = calculate_total(100, 3)

print(total1)
print(total2)


# Output:
100
300

Explanation: In the first call, quantity uses its default value of 1. In the second call, 3 is passed as an argument. Both calls return a calculated total.

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Common Mistakes With Python Return Values

Return values are straightforward once the difference between return and print() is clear. However, a few common mistakes can cause unexpected results.

  1. Using print() Instead of return
  2. Forgetting to Return a Value
  3. Writing Code After return
  4. Using a Returned None Value in a Calculation

1. Using print() Instead of return

Explanation: A common mistake is using print() when the calling code needs to receive the result. Printing displays the value, but it does not send that value back to the caller.

Incorrect Example

def calculate_total(price, quantity):
    print(price * quantity)

total = calculate_total(50, 3)

print(total)


# Output:
150
None

Explanation: The function calculates 50 * 3 and displays 150 using print(). However, print() does not send the value back to the calling code. Therefore, the function returns None, so total receives None.

Correct Example

def calculate_total(price, quantity):
    return price * quantity

total = calculate_total(50, 3)

print(total)


# Output:
150

Explanation:

  • The function calculates 50 * 3 and uses return to send 150 back to the calling code.
  • The returned value is assigned to total, so total contains 150.
  • The print(total) statement then displays 150.

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2. Forgetting to Return a Value

A function may calculate a result correctly but still fail to provide that result to the calling code if it does not use return.

Incorrect Example

def calculate_square(number):
    result = number * number

square = calculate_square(5)

print(square)


# Output:
None

Explanation:

  • The function calculates 5 * 5 and stores the result in result.
  • The function does not use return, so the calculated value is not sent back to the calling code.
  • Therefore, calculate_square(5) returns None, and square receives None.

Correct Example

def calculate_square(number):
    result = number * number
    return result

square = calculate_square(5)

print(square)


# Output:
25

Explanation:

  • The function calculates 5 * 5 and stores the result in result.
  • The return result statement sends 25 back to the calling code.
  • The returned value is assigned to square, so square contains 25.

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3. Writing Code After return

Once Python executes a return statement, the function ends immediately. Statements placed after that return are not executed.

Incorrect Example

def check_number(number):
    if number > 0:
        return "Positive"
        print("Checking complete")

print(check_number(5))


# Output:
Positive

Explanation:

  • The function checks whether number is greater than 0.
  • When the condition is true, return "Positive" executes and immediately ends the function.
  • The print("Checking complete") statement comes after return, so it never runs.

Correct Example

def check_number(number):
    if number > 0:
        print("Checking complete")
        return "Positive"

print(check_number(5))


# Output:
Checking complete
Positive

Explanation:

  • The function first executes print("Checking complete") because it appears before return.
  • The return "Positive" statement then sends "Positive" back to the calling code and ends the function.
  • The returned value is passed to print(), which displays Positive.

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4. Using a Returned None Value in a Calculation

If a function does not return a value, the calling code receives None. Using that None value in a calculation can cause a TypeError.

Incorrect Example

def get_price():
    print(100)

price = get_price()

total = price + 20


# Error:
TypeError: unsupported operand type(s) for +: 'NoneType' and 'int'

Explanation:

  • The function displays 100 using print(), but it does not return the value.
  • Therefore, get_price() returns None, so price contains None.
  • The expression price + 20 attempts to add an integer to None, which causes a TypeError.

Correct Example

def get_price():
    return 100

price = get_price()

total = price + 20

print(total)


# Output:
120

Explanation:

  • The function uses return 100 to send 100 back to the calling code.
  • The returned value is assigned to price, so price contains 100.
  • The expression price + 20 calculates 100 + 20, producing 120.

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Key Takeaways: Return Values

The main points to remember about Python return values are:

  • return sends a value from a function back to the code that called it.
  • A returned value can be stored, used in an expression, or passed to another function.
  • print() displays a value but does not return it to the calling code.
  • A function without an explicit return value returns None.
  • A return statement immediately ends the function’s execution.
  • A function can return multiple values, which Python returns as a tuple.

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