Python String ljust() Method

The ljust() method returns a left-justified version of the original string, padded with a specified character (default is space) to reach a specified width.

Syntax

string.ljust(width, fillchar)

Parameters

width (required): The total length of the returned string after padding. If the specified width is less than or equal to the length of the string, the original string is returned.

fillchar (optional): The character to use for padding. The default is space.

Return Value

Returns a new string that is left-justified with the specified fill character padding it to the right.

Examples

Left Justify a String

text = "mango"
result = text.ljust(10)
print(f"{result}is love") # Output: mango     is love

In this example, "mango" has 5 characters.

text.ljust(10) pads it with 5 spaces on the right, so it becomes:

`"mango     "

Using a Custom Fill Character

text = "mango"
result = text.ljust(10, "-")
print(result)             # Output: mango-----
print(f"{result}is love") # Output: mango-----is love

When Width is Less Than String Length

If the specified width is less than or equal to the length of the original string, the original string is returned without any changes.

text = "mango"
result = text.ljust(3, "-")
print(result) # Output: mango

If you need to right-justify the string, you can use the rjust() method.