Palindrome Program in Python

What is a palindrome

A palindrome is a word, phrase or number that reads the same forwards and backwards — like "madam", "level" or 121. Checking one in Python is quick, and it is a great way to practise strings and comparisons.

The easy slicing way

word = "madam"
if word == word[::-1]:
    print("Palindrome")
else:
    print("Not a palindrome")

word[::-1] reverses the string. If the original equals its reverse, it is a palindrome. This one line is the simplest method.

Dry run

Checking with a loop

To see the logic, compare characters from both ends moving inward.

word = "level"
is_pal = True
n = len(word)
for i in range(n // 2):
    if word[i] != word[n - 1 - i]:
        is_pal = False
        break
print("Palindrome" if is_pal else "Not")

We compare the first with the last, second with second-last, and so on — only up to the middle (n // 2). If any pair differs, it is not a palindrome.

Palindrome number

n = 121
if str(n) == str(n)[::-1]:
    print("Palindrome number")
else:
    print("Not")

The easiest way for numbers is to convert to a string and use the same slice check. 121 reversed is 121, so it is a palindrome.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring case for phrases. "Madam" vs "madaM" — lowercase first with .lower().
• Not removing spaces in phrases. Strip spaces before comparing "nurses run".
• Looping the whole length. You only need to check up to n // 2.
• Comparing a number directly with slicing. Convert to a string first: str(n)[::-1].

Summary

• A palindrome reads the same forwards and backwards.
• Easiest check: word == word[::-1].
• A loop compares characters from both ends up to the middle.
• For numbers, use str(n) == str(n)[::-1].
• For phrases, lowercase and remove spaces first.

Next, learn reversing in reverse a string or list, or try pattern programs.