printf formatting

Learn printf format specifiers (%d, %f, %s, %c).

printf and format specifiers

The printf function prints formatted output to the screen. You place format specifiers inside the double-quoted text; each specifier is replaced by the next variable.

int age = 25;
double price = 19.99;
char grade = 'A';
printf("Age: %d\n", age);
printf("Price: %.2f\n", price);
printf("Grade: %c\n", grade);

Common specifiers: %d integer, %f floating-point, %c single character, %s string. %.2f shows two digits after the dot. The escape sequence \n moves to a new line.

Multiple specifiers

You can use several specifiers in a single printf call. The order of specifiers matches the order of the comma-separated variables.

int rows = 3;
int cols = 4;
printf("Matrix: %d x %d\n", rows, cols);

Output: Matrix: 3 x 4. The first %d takes rows, the second %d takes cols. The specifier count must equal the variable count; missing or extra values cause undefined behavior.

Exercise Print three variables formatted

Write a C program. Declare int age = 25;, double price = 19.99; and char grade = 'A';. Print each on its own line with printf: Age: 25, Price: 19.99, Grade: A. Add #include <stdio.h> at the top.

Show example solution

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    int age = 25;
    double price = 19.99;
    char grade = 'A';
    printf("Age: %d\n", age);
    printf("Price: %.2f\n", price);
    printf("Grade: %c\n", grade);
    return 0;
}

Test yourself

Which type is the %d specifier for?
```
int n = 5;
printf("%d", n);
```
- double
- char
- int
- string
Show answer

int — %d is used for the integer (int) type.

Pick the decimal specifier

printf("Price: ____", price);

Show answer

printf("Price: %.2f", price);

Match the specifiers

%d

Integer
%.2f

Two decimals
%c

Single character
%s

String

Next lesson: scanf

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