Return Values

Functions can compute results and send them back to the caller.

This is done using the return statement.

The Problem

In Python, every function returns a value. If no return statement is present, Python automatically returns None.

Consider this function:

def add(a, b):
    print(a + b)

result = add(3, 4)

print("Result:", result)

Output

7
Result: None

The function printed the value 7, but it did not return anything. Because there is no return statement, result receives None.

The Solution

The return statement sends a value back to the caller.

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

result = add(3, 4)

print("Result:", result)

Output

Result: 7

Now result holds the value 7 and can be used later in the program.

Printing vs Returning

print displays a value on the screen. return sends a value back to the caller.

The key difference is that a returned value can be reused — stored in a variable, passed to another function, or used in an expression.

def add(a, b):
    return a + b

print(add(2, 5) * 2)

Output

14

Because add(2, 5) returns 7, the expression add(2, 5) * 2 evaluates to 14. If add had used print instead of return, this would not be possible.

Key Ideas

The return statement lets a function produce a value that the caller can store, print, or use in further computation. Without return, a function always returns None. The distinction between printing and returning is one of the most important concepts for beginners to internalize — print is for humans to read, return is for the program to use.

Next: Type Hints.