__repr__ should return a printable representation of the object, most likely one of the ways possible to create this object. See also documentation for repr() (which calls __repr__). __repr__ is more for developers, while __str__ is for end users.
A simple example (interactive):
class Point:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
def __repr__(self):
cls = self.__class__.__name__
return f'{cls}(x={self.x!r}, y={self.y!r})'
p = Point(1, 2)
p
Output:
Point(x=1, y=2)
Codecademy
codecademy.com › docs › python › dunder methods › __repr__()
Python | Dunder Methods | __repr__() | Codecademy
May 20, 2025 - The __repr__() method is a special method in Python that returns a string representation of an object. This method is one of Python’s dunder (double underscore) methods that provides an “official” string representation of an object.
Python Reference
python-reference.readthedocs.io › en › latest › docs › functions › repr.html
repr — Python Reference (The Right Way) 0.1 documentation
For many types, this function makes an attempt to return a string that would yield an object with the same value when passed to eval(), otherwise the representation is a string enclosed in angle brackets that contains the name of the type of the object together with additional information often including the name and address of the object. A class can control what this function returns for its instances by defining a __repr__() method.
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Differences between __repr__ vs __str__ in Python - YouTube
Top answer 1 of 6
258
__repr__ should return a printable representation of the object, most likely one of the ways possible to create this object. See also documentation for repr() (which calls __repr__). __repr__ is more for developers, while __str__ is for end users.
A simple example (interactive):
class Point:
def __init__(self, x, y):
self.x = x
self.y = y
def __repr__(self):
cls = self.__class__.__name__
return f'{cls}(x={self.x!r}, y={self.y!r})'
p = Point(1, 2)
p
Output:
Point(x=1, y=2)
2 of 6
33
This is explained quite well in the Python documentation:
repr(object): Return a string containing a printable representation of an object. This is the same value yielded by conversions (reverse quotes). It is sometimes useful to be able to access this operation as an ordinary function. For many types, this function makes an attempt to return a string that would yield an object with the same value when passed to
eval(), otherwise the representation is a string enclosed in angle brackets that contains the name of the type of the object together with additional information often including the name and address of the object. A class can control what this function returns for its instances by defining a__repr__()method.
So what you're seeing here is the default implementation of __repr__, which is useful for serialization and debugging.
Scaler
scaler.com › home › topics › what is python __repr__?
What is Python __repr__? | Scaler Topics
May 4, 2023 - If one prints an instance or passes it to format as in str.format, if an \_\_str__ method has been defined, it will be called, otherwise, it will be \_\_repr__ that gets used. The \_\_repr__ function is called by the built-in repr function and is what is “echoed” onto one’s Python shell screen when evaluating an expression that returns an object.
Codecademy
codecademy.com › docs › python › built-in functions › repr()
Python | Built-in Functions | repr() | Codecademy
June 2, 2023 - A class can control what this function returns for its instances when called by defining a __repr__() dunder method. ... Looking for an introduction to the theory behind programming? Master Python while learning data structures, algorithms, and more!
Python
docs.python.org › 3 › library › reprlib.html
reprlib — Alternate repr() implementation — Python 3.14.7 documentation
Class which provides formatting services useful in implementing functions similar to the built-in repr(); size limits for different object types are added to avoid the generation of representations which are excessively long.
Real Python
realpython.com › ref › builtin-functions › repr
repr() | Python’s Built-in Functions – Real Python
The .__repr__() method allows instances of the Book class to provide a detailed and developer-friendly string representation, which is useful for debugging and logging. ... Find out when to choose Python's __repr__() vs __str__() in your classes ...
DigitalOcean
digitalocean.com › community › tutorials › python-str-repr-functions
How To Use the __str__() and __repr__() Methods in Python | DigitalOcean
Learn Python’s str() and repr() methods in depth. Explore examples, best practices, and real-world tips for clarity and debugging.
O'Reilly
oreilly.com › library › view › mastering-object-oriented-python › 9781789531367 › 4c65b811-c017-4725-bd24-a35cc3e2565e.xhtml
The __repr__() and __str__() methods - Mastering Object-Oriented Python - Second Edition [Book]
June 14, 2019 - The repr() method representation is often more technical, and typically uses a complete Python expression to rebuild an object. The documentation for the __repr__() method in the Python documentation (https://docs.python.org/3/reference/datamodel.html?highlight=__del__#object.__repr__) states the following:
Author: Steven F. Lott
Published: 2019
Pages: 770
Educative
educative.io › answers › what-is-the-repr-method-in-python
What is the __repr__ method in Python?
They start and end with double underscores. According to the official documentation, __repr__ is used to compute the “official” string representation of an object and is typically used for debugging.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › python › python-__repr__-magic-method
Python __repr__() magic method - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - In this example, we define a subclass of tuple called MyTuple that overrides the __str__() and __repr__() methods. When we call Python str() or Python repr() on an instance of MyTuple, the custom __str__() and __repr__() methods are called, respectively.
DataFlair
data-flair.training › blogs › python-repr-function
Python repr Function With Example | repr vs str in Python - DataFlair
April 14, 2026 - Any string at the interpreter prompt makes a call to __str__(), but an object at the prompt makes a call to __repr__(). Want to do preparation for Python Interview – Click Here >>>
Python
docs.python.org › 3.4 › library › reprlib.html
8.12. reprlib — Alternate repr() implementation — Python 3.4.10 documentation
June 16, 2019 - Class which provides formatting services useful in implementing functions similar to the built-in repr(); size limits for different object types are added to avoid the generation of representations which are excessively long.
Initial Commit
initialcommit.com › blog › repr-in-python
__repr__ in Python - Initial Commit
The difference is that string will typically print out the contents of a string or other Python object in a human readable format. On the other hand, the repr() function prints out the "string representation" of an object, which usually includes quotes surrounding it.
Python Pool
pythonpool.com › home › tutorials › python repr(): __repr__, debugging, and string representations
Python repr(): __repr__, Debugging, and String Representations
July 13, 2026 - The official repr() documentation and object.__repr__ data model reference define the representation protocol. Related guidance includes logging and Python data types.
TutorialsPoint
tutorialspoint.com › What-does-the-repr-function-do-in-Python-Object-Oriented-Programming
Python repr() Function
June 15, 2020 - This function takes an object 'x' as a parameter for which you want to obtain the string representation. This function returns a string that, when executed as Python code, would recreate the original object.
Python
docs.python.org › 3.8 › library › reprlib.html
reprlib — Alternate repr() implementation — Python 3.8.20 documentation
Changing the attributes of this object will affect the size limits used by repr() and the Python debugger.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › python › python-repr-function
Python repr() Function - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - Return Type: repr() function returns a string (str) representation of the given object (<class 'str'>).
BelieveMy
believemy.com › python glossary › __repr__
What is __repr__ in Python? | Python glossary
February 9, 2026 - If you use dataclass or namedtuple, the __repr__ method is automatically generated, saving you from writing it manually. ... When Python displays the content of a container (list, dict, tuple, etc.), it uses __repr__ and not __str__ for each element. This design choice is explained by the fact that displaying a container is generally intended for debugging, and Python therefore favors the unambiguous representation.