abs() Absolute value
Last updated: 2026-09-22
abs() Absolute value
abs() returns the absolute value of a number; works on int and float, and returns the magnitude for complex.
| Category | Built-in Functions |
|---|---|
| Kind | Built-in Function |
| Python Version | all |
📝 Syntax
abs(x)⚙️ Parameters
| x Required | A number (int / float / complex). |
|---|
Returns：The absolute value of x; the magnitude if x is complex.
💥 Raises
TypeError— Raised when x's type does not support abs(), e.g. str.
▶ Example
Edit the code, press Run, and see the result in the output panel:
Output：
7
3.14
5.0ℹ️ Info abs() is a builtin; no import needed.
🏷️ Related Built-in Functions
💡 Related Cases
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❓ FAQ
QDo abs(-5) and abs(5) return the same result? Will it modify the original variable?
ABoth return 5. abs() only returns the absolute value and never modifies the passed-in variable; to keep the result you must assign it yourself, e.g. x = abs(x).
QCan abs() be used directly on a string?
ANo. abs('a') raises a TypeError because strings do not support absolute value; you need to convert with int() or float() first.
QWhat does abs() return for a complex number?
AIt returns the magnitude of the complex number, e.g. abs(3+4j) returns 5.0, with type float.
QWhat is the difference between abs() and math.fabs()?
Aabs() is a built-in that supports int/float/complex and tries to preserve the original type; math.fabs() only accepts numeric values and always returns a float.
