Python OR Keyword

Last Updated : 17 Jul, 2026

The or keyword is a logical operator used to combine two or more conditions. It returns True if at least one of the conditions is True. It is commonly used in if statements to check multiple conditions together.

Python 
age = 16
permission = False

if age >= 18 or permission:
    print("Access granted")
else:
    print("Access denied")

Output
Access denied

Explanation: The value of age is 16, so the condition age >= 18 is False. The variable permission is also False. Since both conditions are False, the or expression evaluates to False, and the else block is executed.

Syntax

The general syntax of the or keyword is shown below:

condition1 or condition2

Or, it can be used inside an if statement as follows:

if condition1 or condition2:
# code

Truth Table

The following truth table shows the result of the or keyword for different combinations of Boolean values:

First ConditionSecond ConditionResult
TrueTrueTrue
TrueFalseTrue
FalseTrueTrue
FalseFalseFalse

Explanation: The or keyword returns True if at least one of the conditions is True. It returns False only when both conditions are False.

In Conditional Statements

The or keyword is commonly used in if statements when any one of multiple conditions can satisfy the condition.

Python 
marks = 45
res = True

if marks >= 50 or res:
    print("Pass")
else:
    print("Fail")

Output
Pass

Explanation: The value of marks is less than 50, but res is True. Since at least one condition is True, the print() statement is executed.

In Loops

The or keyword can be used in loops to continue or stop execution based on multiple conditions.

Python 
i = 1

while i <= 5:
    if i == 3 or i == 5:
        print(i)
    i += 1

Output
3
5

Explanation: The condition i == 3 or i == 5 becomes True when the value of i is either 3 or 5. Therefore, only these values are printed.

With Default Values

The or keyword is often used to assign a default value when a variable is empty or None.

Python 
user = ""
current_user = user or "Guest"
print(current_user)

user = "Rocky"
current_user = user or "Guest"
print(current_user)

Output
Guest
Rocky

Explanation:

  • When user is an empty string (""), it is treated as a falsy value, so "Guest" is assigned to current_user.
  • When user contains "Rocky", it is a truthy value, so current_user is assigned the value of user.
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