Python if, elif, and else statements are fundamental for making decisions in code based on conditions.

if Statement

Executes a block of code only if a specified condition is True.

if age >= 18:
    print("You are an adult.")

else Statement

Provides an alternative block to run when the if condition is False.

if age >= 18:
    print("You are an adult.")
else:
    print("You are a minor.")

elif Statement (short for "else if")

Checks additional conditions only if the previous conditions were False. Python evaluates conditions from top to bottom and executes the first True block, then skips the rest.

score = 85
if score >= 90:
    grade = "A"
elif score >= 80:
    grade = "B"
elif score >= 70:
    grade = "C"
else:
    grade = "F"
print(f"Your grade is: {grade}")  # Output: Your grade is: B

Key Points

• else is optional — you can use if alone or with elif without else.

• Only one block executes — once a condition is True, the rest are skipped.

• Use logical operators (and, or, not) to combine conditions:

  if age >= 18 and has_license:
      print("You can drive.")

• Nested if statements allow deeper logic:

  if username == "admin":
      if password == "secure123":
          print("Access granted!")

• Ternary operator (one-line if-else):

  status = "adult" if age >= 18 else "minor"

Note: elif is the correct syntax — else if is not valid in Python.