else and else if

Learn else and else if chains for alternative cases.

else and else if

When the if condition is false, else runs an alternative block. To list several conditions, else if comes in.

val age = 12
if (age >= 18) {
    println("Adult")
} else {
    println("Child")
}

Here age is below 18, so the else block runs and prints "Child". If the condition is true, else is skipped.

else is optional; it runs only when all previous conditions are false.

else if chains

For three or more cases, an else if chain is used. Conditions are tried top to bottom; the first true one runs its block.

val score = 75
if (score >= 90) {
    println("A")
} else if (score >= 80) {
    println("B")
} else if (score >= 70) {
    println("C")
} else {
    println("F")
}

score is 75, so the first two conditions are false and the third is true; "C" is printed. The rest are not tried.

Order matters: stricter conditions must come first.

Exercise Convert score to a letter grade

Write a fun main(). Assign 75 to val score. Use an if/else if/else chain to print the letter grade: 90+ "A", 80+ "B", 70+ "C", else "F".

Show example solution

fun main() {
    val score = 75
    if (score >= 90) {
        println("A")
    } else if (score >= 80) {
        println("B")
    } else if (score >= 70) {
        println("C")
    } else {
        println("F")
    }
}

Test yourself

Match the if/else flow

if condition true

if block runs
if condition false

else block runs
no else

Nothing happens
several conditions

else if chain
x = -5: which block runs? if (x > 0) { ... } else { ... }
- if block
- if then else
- Skipped
- else block
Show answer

else block — -5 > 0 is false, so the else block runs.

Complete the else if branch

} ____ (score >= 80) {

Show answer

} else if (score >= 80) {

Next lesson: if expression

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