Python random Module

Importing random

Like math, the random module is part of the standard library, so importing it is all you need to start generating randomness in your programs.

import random

A Random Decimal With random()

random.random() returns a random floating-point number between 0.0 and 1.0, which is the building block many other random functions use internally.

print(random.random())

A Random Whole Number With randint()

random.randint(a, b) returns a random integer between a and b, including both endpoints — the function most beginners reach for first, for example to simulate a dice roll.

dice_roll = random.randint(1, 6)
print(dice_roll)

Picking From a List: choice() and sample()

random.choice() picks one random item from a list, while random.sample() picks several unique items at once without repeats — handy for lotteries or random quiz questions.

colors = ["red", "green", "blue", "yellow"]

print(random.choice(colors))
print(random.sample(colors, 2))

Shuffling a List

random.shuffle() rearranges a list in place, randomising the order of its existing items — often used to shuffle a deck of cards or quiz options.

cards = ["A", "K", "Q", "J"]
random.shuffle(cards)
print(cards)

Making Randomness Repeatable With seed()

random.seed() fixes the starting point of the random number generator, so the same sequence of "random" values repeats every time — extremely useful when testing or debugging code that uses randomness.

random.seed(42)
print(random.randint(1, 100))