You should use numpy.zeros. If that isn't an option, you want the first version. In the second version, if you change one value, it will be changed elsewhere in the list -- e.g.:
>>> a = [[0]*3]*3
>>> a
[[0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0]]
>>> a[0][0] = 1
>>> a
[[1, 0, 0], [1, 0, 0], [1, 0, 0]]
This is because (as you read the expression from the inside out), you create a list of 10 zeros. You then create a list of 10 references to that initial list of 10 zeros.
Note that this will also work and it avoids the nested list comprehension:
zeros = [ [0]*M for _ in range(N) ]
If numpy isn't on the table, this is the form I would use.
(Use xrange if you're still stuck in the python2.x dark ages :).)
NumPy
numpy.org › doc › stable › reference › generated › numpy.zeros.html
numpy.zeros — NumPy v2.5 Manual
>>> np.zeros((2,), dtype=[('x', 'i4'), ('y', 'i4')]) # custom dtype array([(0, 0), (0, 0)], dtype=[('x', '<i4'), ('y', '<i4')])
NumPy
numpy.org › devdocs › reference › generated › numpy.zeros.html
numpy.zeros — NumPy v2.6.dev0 Manual
Return an array of zeros with shape and type of input. ... Return a new uninitialized array. ... Return a new array setting values to one. ... Return a new array of given shape filled with value. ... Try it in your browser! >>> import numpy as np >>> np.zeros(5) array([ 0., 0., 0., 0., 0.])
03:45
NumPy np.zeros() Tutorial - Create Arrays Filled with Zeros in ...
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How To Create An Array Of Zeros In Python Numpy - YouTube
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np zeros() - Create Numpy Arrays of Zeros (0s) - YouTube
01:57
How to initialize Numpy arrays with zeros in Python - YouTube
NumPy Arrays in Python | 0-D Arrays, Zeros, Empty Arrays & ...
07:43
NumPy multidimensional arrays are easy!
w3resource
w3resource.com › numpy › array-creation › zeros.php
NumPy: numpy.zeros() function - w3resource
April 21, 2026 - In this example, a tuple (3, 2) defines the shape of the array, and np.zeros() creates a 2D array filled with zeros.
DataCamp
datacamp.com › doc › numpy › zeros
NumPy zeros()
import numpy as np array_1d = np.zeros(5)Powered by · This creates a one-dimensional array with 5 elements, all initialized to zero. array_2d = np.zeros((3, 4), dtype=int)Powered by · Here, a 3x4 two-dimensional array of integers is created, all initialized to zero.
Top answer 1 of 5
113
You should use numpy.zeros. If that isn't an option, you want the first version. In the second version, if you change one value, it will be changed elsewhere in the list -- e.g.:
>>> a = [[0]*3]*3
>>> a
[[0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0]]
>>> a[0][0] = 1
>>> a
[[1, 0, 0], [1, 0, 0], [1, 0, 0]]
This is because (as you read the expression from the inside out), you create a list of 10 zeros. You then create a list of 10 references to that initial list of 10 zeros.
Note that this will also work and it avoids the nested list comprehension:
zeros = [ [0]*M for _ in range(N) ]
If numpy isn't on the table, this is the form I would use.
(Use xrange if you're still stuck in the python2.x dark ages :).)
2 of 5
54
for Python 3 (no more xrange), the preferred answer
zeros = [ [0] * N for _ in range(M)]
for M x N array of zeros
Codecademy
codecademy.com › docs › python:numpy › built-in functions › .zeros()
Python:NumPy | Built-in Functions | .zeros() | Codecademy
June 23, 2025 - For example, (3, 2) creates a 2D ... in row-major ('C', default) or column-major ('F') order. ... Returns a new array of the given shape, filled entirely with zeros....
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › numpy › numpy-zeros-python
numpy.zeros() in Python - GeeksforGeeks
June 15, 2026 - Explanation: np.zeros((3, 4)) creates a 2D array with 3 rows and 4 columns filled with 0.
NumPy
numpy.org › doc › 2.2 › reference › generated › numpy.zeros.html
numpy.zeros — NumPy v2.2 Manual
Return an array of zeros with shape and type of input. ... Return a new uninitialized array. ... Return a new array setting values to one. ... Return a new array of given shape filled with value. ... >>> np.zeros((2,), dtype=[('x', 'i4'), ('y', 'i4')]) # custom dtype array([(0, 0), (0, 0)], dtype=[('x', '<i4'), ('y', '<i4')])
iO Flood
ioflood.com › blog › np-zeros
NP.Zeroes | Using Zeros() In Numpy
January 31, 2024 - To create a 2D array, we pass a tuple to the np.zeros function, specifying the number of rows and columns.
Vultr Docs
docs.vultr.com › python › third party › numpy › zeros()
Python Numpy zeros() - Create Zero Array | Vultr Docs
January 1, 2025 - Create a 2D or 3D zero array using this shape specification. ... two_d_array = np.zeros((2, 3)) print(two_d_array) three_d_array = np.zeros((2, 3, 4)) print(three_d_array)
AskPython
askpython.com › python-modules › numpy › numpy-zeros-method-in-python
NumPy zeros() Method in Python - AskPython
March 12, 2020 - As we can see from the output, we get a 2D array with all of the elements as 0. We can also create arrays with heterogeneous data type using the zeros() function in Python. We just need to pass a tuple containing the required information. import ...
NumPy
numpy.org › doc › 2.1 › reference › generated › numpy.zeros.html
numpy.zeros — NumPy v2.1 Manual
Return an array of zeros with shape and type of input. ... Return a new uninitialized array. ... Return a new array setting values to one. ... Return a new array of given shape filled with value. ... >>> np.zeros((2,), dtype=[('x', 'i4'), ('y', 'i4')]) # custom dtype array([(0, 0), (0, 0)], dtype=[('x', '<i4'), ('y', '<i4')])
CASRAI
casrai.org › guides › research tools & software › statistical software for research › numpy zeros: np.zeros() syntax and examples
NumPy Zeros: np.zeros() Syntax and Examples — CASRAI
2 weeks ago - NumPy zeros explained: np.zeros() shape, dtype and order, 1D and 2D examples, integer zeros, and when to use np.empty, ones or full instead.
NumPy
numpy.org › doc › 2.3 › reference › generated › numpy.zeros.html
numpy.zeros — NumPy v2.3 Manual
>>> np.zeros((2,), dtype=[('x', 'i4'), ('y', 'i4')]) # custom dtype array([(0, 0), (0, 0)], dtype=[('x', '<i4'), ('y', '<i4')])
NumPy
numpy.org › devdocs › reference › generated › numpy.zeros_like.html
numpy.zeros_like — NumPy v2.6.dev0 Manual
Return a new array setting values to zero. ... Try it in your browser! >>> import numpy as np >>> x = np.arange(6) >>> x = x.reshape((2, 3)) >>> x array([[0, 1, 2], [3, 4, 5]]) >>> np.zeros_like(x) array([[0, 0, 0], [0, 0, 0]])
Medium
medium.com › @debopamdeycse19 › what-is-the-use-of-the-zeros-function-in-numpy-arrays-in-python-dde91b18e234
What is the use of the Zeros function in numpy arrays in Python? | by Let's Decode | Medium
November 28, 2023 - # Creating a 2x3 array (2 rows, 3 columns) filled with zeros import numpy as np arr = np.zeros((2, 3)) print(arr) ... Note: For a 2D array, you would provide the shape as a tuple with two values: (rows, columns).
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › python › create-a-numpy-array-filled-with-all-zeros-python
Create a Numpy array filled with all zeros - Python - GeeksforGeeks
September 19, 2025 - This code creates a 2D array of zeros with 3 rows and 4 columns using np.zeros().
Sentry
sentry.io › sentry answers › python › define a two-dimensional array in python
Python Define a Two-Dimensional Array or Matrix | Sentry
September 23, 2026 - Create a 2D array in Python using numpy.zeros for matrix operations, or a nested list comprehension if you want to avoid the numpy dependency
Top answer 1 of 3
4
If you don't want to have to care about shapes, use np.zeros_like:
np.zeros_like(a)
# array([0, 0, 0, 0, 0])
There's also the option of querying np.shape:
np.zeros(np.shape(a))
# array([0., 0., 0., 0., 0.])
Both options should work for ND lists as well.
2 of 3
4
You passed two-element tuple to zeros, so it produced 2D array, you can simply pass integer to zeros
a = [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
b = np.zeros(len(a))
print(b) #prints [ 0. 0. 0. 0. 0.]
NumPy
numpy.org › doc › 2.0 › reference › generated › numpy.zeros.html
numpy.zeros — NumPy v2.0 Manual
Return an array of zeros with shape and type of input. ... Return a new uninitialized array. ... Return a new array setting values to one. ... Return a new array of given shape filled with value. ... >>> np.zeros((2,), dtype=[('x', 'i4'), ('y', 'i4')]) # custom dtype array([(0, 0), (0, 0)], dtype=[('x', '<i4'), ('y', '<i4')])