Just use

int listCount = data.size();

That tells you how many lists there are (assuming none are null). If you want to find out how many strings there are, you'll need to iterate:

int total = 0;
for (List<String> sublist : data) {
    // TODO: Null checking
    total += sublist.size();
}
// total is now the total number of strings
Answer from Jon Skeet on Stack Overflow
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Scaler
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Java List Size() - Scaler Topics
April 28, 2024 - When we call the size() method on the list; it returns 4. Since the size() method returns the value stored in the size variable, it will be a constant-time operation. We can use the same size() method to get the number of elements stored in a hashset in java.
Discussions

java - Initial size for the ArrayList - Stack Overflow
Actually, its not obvious from the docs that a list needs to have at least n items added before you can set/add item n-1. ... Perception: I don't know if it is obvious, but it is specified. One has to read JavaDoc carefully.Throws: IndexOutOfBoundsException - if index out of range (index < 0 || index >= size... More on stackoverflow.com
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How to get array list size in java jsp?
You can use the .size() method of your ArrayList https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/util/ArrayList.html If you do not need the number of the element and only need the element value then you could skip that and just use the enhanced for statement. https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/nutsandbolts/for.html More on reddit.com
๐ŸŒ r/javahelp
1
2
November 16, 2014
What is the maximum size of a bitset in Java?
Most likely it would be the same max size as arrays have, which is VM-dependent, but seems to be close to Integer.MAX_VALUE. The reason I say this is because this seems to be basically a List with some special bit-related functionality. So it's likely implemented to store these bits in an array internally; if it is storing them as a single element in the array it would make sense that you can't have more than the maximum number of elements in the array. Edit: looking at the implementation , I'm not sure what the limit is. They use an array of longs to store the data, so...maybe it would support more? That said, the get and set take integers for indexes, so even if you could support more, you couldn't pass an index to the functions larger than Integer.MAX_VALUE. More on reddit.com
๐ŸŒ r/learnprogramming
4
1
September 22, 2019
[JAVA] Why is my ArrayList size always 0
Your ArrayList contains 0 elements, so the size is 0. Your top is also initially -1, so the expression top == stack.size() - 1 will evaluate to -1 == 0 - 1, which is always true (until something is added to the stack). You may be confusing size (number of elements in the current ArrayList) with the capacity (maximum number of elements allowed in the current ArrayList). In any case, if you're trying to write a stack for learning purposes, you'd probably get more out of it if you implemented it on a more basic level, and used an array internally instead of an ArrayList which basically has already implemented most of the logic for you. Alternatively, if you just need a stack, you should probably use java.util.Stack instead of re-implementing one. More on reddit.com
๐ŸŒ r/learnprogramming
7
5
February 26, 2017
People also ask

How does the size() method work in Java Lists?
When you call the size() method on a Java List, it does a little bit of internal magic. Rather than iterating through all elements, it directly accesses a variable or field that keeps track of the number of elements in the List, returning that value to you swiftly.
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Java List Size: Understanding and Utilizing Dynamic Data Structures
Why is the size of a List different from its capacity?
Size and capacity may seem interchangeable, but in the context of a Java List, they convey distinct concepts. The size refers to the actual count of elements in the List, while capacity indicates how many elements it can house before needing to resize. Understanding this distinction helps manage lists more effectively.
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Java List Size: Understanding and Utilizing Dynamic Data Structures
How often should I call the size() method?
The size() method is there for your use anytime you need to know the number of elements in the List. However, using it excessively or unnecessarily could have performance implications, so employ this tool wisely and only when needed.
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Java List Size: Understanding and Utilizing Dynamic Data Structures
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W3Schools
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Java ArrayList size() Method
Java Data Structures Java Collections Java List Java ArrayList Java LinkedList Java List Sorting Java Set Java HashSet Java TreeSet Java LinkedHashSet Java Map Java HashMap Java TreeMap Java LinkedHashMap Java Iterator Java Algorithms ยท Java Wrapper Classes Java Generics Java Annotations Java RegEx Java Threads Java Lambda Java Advanced Sorting ... How Tos Add Two Numbers Swap Two Variables Even or Odd Number Reverse a Number Positive or Negative Square Root Area of Rectangle Celsius to Fahrenheit Sum of Digits Check Armstrong Num Random Number Count Words Count Vowels in a String Remove Vowe
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TutorialsPoint
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How do I set the size of a list in Java?
June 10, 2025 - Java list size is dynamic. It increases automatically whenever you add an element to it, and this exceeds the initial capacity. You can define the initial capacity at the time of list creation so that it allocates memory after the initial capacity is
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Upgrad
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Java List Size: Understanding and Utilizing Dynamic Data Structures
3 weeks ago - The capacity refers to the maximum number of elements the ArrayList can hold without resizing, while the size represents the actual number of elements currently stored in the ArrayList. The time complexity of the Java List size() method is constant, denoted as O(1).
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Vultr
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Java ArrayList size() - Get List Size | Vultr Docs
November 13, 2024 - Add some elements to the list. Use the size() method to retrieve the number of elements. ... import java.util.ArrayList; public class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { ArrayList<String> list = new ArrayList<>(); list.add("Apple"); ...
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GeeksforGeeks
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List size() method in Java with Examples - GeeksforGeeks
July 11, 2025 - That is, the list size() method returns the count of elements present in this list container. ... // Java Program to demonstrate // List size() Method import java.util.*; class GFG { public static void main (String[] args) { // Declared List ...
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GeeksforGeeks
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ArrayList size() Method in Java with Examples - GeeksforGeeks
July 11, 2025 - Example 2: Here, we use the size() method to get the number of elements in an ArrayList of strings. ... // Java program to demonstrate the use of // size() method for String ArrayList import java.util.ArrayList; public class GFG { public static void main(String[] args) { // Creating an ArrayList of Strings ArrayList<String> f = new ArrayList<>(); // Adding elements to the ArrayList f.add("Apple"); f.add("Banana"); f.add("Orange"); // Getting and printing the // size of the ArrayList int s = f.size(); System.out.println("" + s); } }
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Blogger
self-learning-java-tutorial.blogspot.com โ€บ 2014 โ€บ 03 โ€บ size-number-of-elements-in-list.html
Programming for beginners: size() : Number Of Elements in the List
March 25, 2014 - import java.util.*; class ListSize{ public static void main(String args[]){ List<Integer> myList = new ArrayList<> (); System.out.println("Number Of Elements in myList is " + myList.size()); /* Add Elements to myList */ myList.add(10); myList.add(20); myList.add(-100); myList.add(null); myList.add(20); myList.add(null); System.out.println("Number Of Elements in myList is " + myList.size()); System.out.println("Elements in myList are"); System.out.println(myList); } }
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Oracle
docs.oracle.com โ€บ javase โ€บ 8 โ€บ docs โ€บ api โ€บ java โ€บ util โ€บ List.html
List (Java Platform SE 8 )
October 20, 2025 - Returns an array containing all of the elements in this list in proper sequence (from first to last element); the runtime type of the returned array is that of the specified array. If the list fits in the specified array, it is returned therein. Otherwise, a new array is allocated with the runtime type of the specified array and the size of this list.
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TheServerSide
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Java array size, length and loop examples
Thus, the maximum number of elements a Java array can hold is typically a little less than the upper limit of a Java int. In Java, once you set the Java array size it is fixed, and it canโ€™t be changed. This puts Java in sharp contrast to other programming languages like JavaScript where arrays resize dynamically. But in Java, once the array size is set, it is permanent. However, there are collection classes in Java that act like a Java array but resize themselves automatically. Any class that extends the List interface expands dynamically.