What Is the Walrus Operator (:=) in Python? Examples
Assignment expressions, explained with the examples that actually help.
Aditya Challa1 min read
Summary
The walrus operator := assigns a value to a variable as part of a larger expression. It was added in Python 3.8 through PEP 572 and is officially called an assignment expression.
Basic example
Without it, you would call len() twice or add a separate line.
Useful patterns
When not to use it
PEP 572 and PEP 8 favour readability. Do not use := where a plain assignment statement is clearer, and note that an unparenthesised := at the top level of an expression statement is a syntax error.
Related: /blog/what-is-the-difference-between-is-and-equals-in-python
Related: /blog/are-python-dictionaries-ordered
Related: /blog/what-does-if-name-main-do-in-python
Sources
Lab evidence
What I found running this
Facts in this draft were checked on 12 Oct 2026 against the primary sources listed in the body (official docs, release schedules or Google/YouTube help pages). No benchmarks or timings were run, so the post makes no performance or measurement claims; dates are quoted as published by the maintainers, and any estimate is labelled as such.
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