Collections max() method in Java with Examples

Last Updated : 19 Jan, 2026

The Collections class in Java provides several utility methods to perform common operations on collection objects such as List, Set, and Map. One such useful method is Collections.max(), which is used to find the maximum element in a collection according to the natural ordering of elements or a custom comparator.

Example 1: Finding Maximum Element in an Integer List

Java 
import java.util.*;

public class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

        List<Integer> list = Arrays.asList(10, 50, 30, 20);

        int maxValue = Collections.max(list);

        System.out.println(maxValue);
    }
}

Output
50

Explanation:

  • A list of integers is created using Arrays.asList().
  • Collections.max(list) compares elements using natural ordering.
  • The largest value (50) is returned and stored in maxValue.

Syntax

Collections.max(collection);
Collections.max(collection, comparator);

Example: Finding Maximum Element in a String List

Java 
import java.util.*;

public class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

        List<String> languages = Arrays.asList("Java", "Python", "C", "Ruby");

        String maxString = Collections.max(languages);

        System.out.println(maxString);
    }
}

Output
Ruby

Explanation

  • Strings are compared lexicographically (dictionary order).
  • "Ruby" is considered the maximum based on ASCII/Unicode values.

Example: Using Collections.max() with Custom Comparator

Java 
import java.util.*;

public class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

        List<String> names = Arrays.asList("Rahul", "Amit", "Vikram");

        String longestName = Collections.max(
                names,
                Comparator.comparingInt(String::length)
        );

        System.out.println(longestName);
    }
}

Output
Vikram

Explanation

  • A custom Comparator is provided.
  • Strings are compared based on length, not alphabetical order.
  • "Vikram" is the longest string and hence the maximum.

Example: Using Collections.max() with Custom Objects

Java 
import java.util.*;

class Student {
    String name;
    int marks;

    Student(String name, int marks) {
        this.name = name;
        this.marks = marks;
    }

    public String toString() {
        return name + " " + marks;
    }
}

public class GFG {
    public static void main(String[] args) {

        List<Student> students = new ArrayList<>();
        students.add(new Student("A", 70));
        students.add(new Student("B", 85));
        students.add(new Student("C", 60));

        Student topper = Collections.max(
                students,
                Comparator.comparingInt(s -> s.marks)
        );

        System.out.println(topper);
    }
}

Output
B 85

Explanation

  • A list of Student objects is created.
  • A comparator compares students based on marks.
  • The student with highest marks (B 85) is returned.
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