break and continue

Learn to exit with break and skip with continue.

break and continue

break exits the loop entirely; continue skips the current turn and moves to the next.

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    if (i == 5) {
        break;  // loop ends
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

This prints 0, 1, 2, 3, 4; when i == 5 the loop exits. break and continue are usually used inside an if; without a condition, the rest of the loop never runs.

A continue example

continue skips the rest of the current turn and moves to the next. To skip even numbers:

for (int i = 0; i < 6; i++) {
    if (i % 2 == 0) {
        continue;
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

This prints only odd numbers: 1, 3, 5. When continue is called, the code below it is skipped for that turn, but the loop continues with the next i.

Exercise Stop at 5

Write a Main class with a main method. Write for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++). When if (i == 5) use break; to exit. Print System.out.println(i) each turn.

Show example solution

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
            if (i == 5) {
                break;
            }
            System.out.println(i);
        }
    }
}

Test yourself

Match the break/continue concepts

break

Exit loop
continue

Skip turn
if

Condition
{ }

Block
What does break do?
- Starts the loop
- Exits the loop
- Skips a turn
- Nothing
Show answer

Exits the loop — break exits the loop entirely.

Complete the break call

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    if (i == 5) {
        ____;
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

Show answer

for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
    if (i == 5) {
        break;
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

Next lesson: for-each

We Are Enhancing Your Experience

Cookie Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Analytical Cookies