Replace Values in a List in Python

Last Updated : 12 Jan, 2026

Given a list of elements and a value to replace, the task is to update one or more matching values with a new value. For Example:

Input: a = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50] and Replace value 30 -> 99
Output: [10, 20, 99, 40, 50]

Using List Indexing

This method replaces a value by directly accessing a specific position in the list and assigning a new value to that position. It works when the index of the element to be replaced is already known.

Python
a = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
a[2] = 99
print(a)

Output
[10, 20, 99, 40, 50]

Explanation:

  • a[2] accesses the element at index 2
  • = assigns the new value 99
  • The list a is updated in place

Using List Comprehension

This method checks every element in the list and replaces only those values that satisfy a given condition, while rebuilding the list in a single expression using list comprehension.

Python
a = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
a = [99 if x == 30 else x for x in a]
print(a)

Output
[10, 20, 99, 40, 50]

Explanation:

  • for x in a iterates over each element
  • 99 if x == 30 else x replaces the value conditionally
  • The updated elements are stored back in a

Using map() with lambda

This method goes through each element of the list and applies a small rule to it. The rule checks the value and replaces it only when the condition matches, otherwise the value remains the same.

Python
a = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]
a = list(map(lambda x: 99 if x == 30 else x, a))
print(a)

Output
[10, 20, 99, 40, 50]

Explanation:

  • map() processes each element of a
  • lambda x: 99 if x == 30 else x defines the replacement condition
  • list() converts the result into a list

Using for Loop

This method walks through the list using index positions and replaces values whenever the specified condition is met during iteration with the help of for loop.

Python
a = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50]

for i in range(len(a)):
    if a[i] == 30:
        a[i] = 99

print(a)

Output
[10, 20, 99, 40, 50]

Explanation:

  • range(len(a)) generates index values
  • a[i] accesses elements using indexes
  • Assignment updates the matching value in the list
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