Python String center() Function

The String center() method returns a new string that is centered within a string of the specified length, using a specified character as the fill character.

note

The original string is returned as it is, if width parameter is less than or equal to string length.

Syntax

my_string.center(width, fillchar)

center() Parameters

Python String center() function parameters:

Parameter	Condition	Description
width	Required	The length of the string
fillchar	Optional	A character you want to use as a fill character. Default value is an ASCII space.

note

If fillchar is not provided, a whitespace is taken as the default argument.

center() Return Value

Python String center() function returns a new string centered within a string of the specified length, using the specified fill character.

Examples

Example 1: Center a String using center() method

By default, the string is padded with whitespace (ASCII space, ).

my_str = 'Centered'
result = my_str.center(12)
print(f"'{result}'") # Output: '  Centered  '

output

'  Centered  '

Example 2: Center a String with Custom Padding

You can modify the padding character by specifying a fill character.

For example, center a string with * as a fill character

my_str = 'Centered'
result = my_str.center(12, '*')
print(f"'{result}'") # Output: '**Centered**'

output

'**Centered**'

Example 3: Center a String with too small width

If the width is less than or equal to string length, then the original string is returned.

my_str = 'Centered'
result = my_str.center(4, '*')
print(f"'{result}'") # Output: 'Centered'

output

'Centered'

Equivalent Method to Center a String

You can center a string as you would do with center() method by using format() method.

For example, using the center() method:

my_str = 'Centered'
result = my_str.center(12, '*')
print(result) # Output: **Centered**

output

**Centered**

This is equivalent to the use of format() method:

my_str = 'Centered'
result = '{:*^12}'.format(my_str)
print(result) # Output: **Centered**

output

**Centered**