Java if-else-if Statement - Syntax and Examples

if else if in Java

In Java, if-else-if ladder is used to evaluate multiple conditions in a structured manner. If you’ve already understood simple if and if-else blocks, this is the next natural step.

The if-else-if ladder allows you to test multiple conditions, one after another. As soon as one condition evaluates to true, the corresponding block is executed, and the rest are skipped.

Syntax of if else if in Java

if (condition1) {
    // code block 1
} else if (condition2) {
    // code block 2
} else if (condition3) {
    // code block 3
} else {
    // default code block
}

• The program evaluates each condition from top to bottom.
• Once it finds a condition that is true, it executes that block and ignores the rest.
• If none of the conditions are true, the else block runs (if provided).

Example 1: Grade Classification

public class GradeExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int score = 85;

        if (score >= 90) {
            System.out.println("Grade: A");
        } else if (score >= 80) {
            System.out.println("Grade: B");
        } else if (score >= 70) {
            System.out.println("Grade: C");
        } else {
            System.out.println("Grade: D or lower");
        }
    }
}

Grade: B

Explanation:

Here, score is 85. It first checks if it's greater than or equal to 90 (false), then checks if it's greater than or equal to 80 (true). So, it prints "Grade: B" and exits the ladder.

Example 2: Weather Message

public class WeatherExample {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int temperature = 5;

        if (temperature > 30) {
            System.out.println("It's a hot day!");
        } else if (temperature > 20) {
            System.out.println("It's a warm day.");
        } else if (temperature > 10) {
            System.out.println("It's a bit chilly.");
        } else {
            System.out.println("It's cold outside.");
        }
    }
}

It's cold outside.

Explanation:

In this program, we're using a series of if-else if-else conditions to print a message based on the current temperature.

• The value of temperature is 5.
• The program first checks if (temperature > 30) – this is false.
• Then it checks else if (temperature > 20) – still false.
• Next, else if (temperature > 10) – again false.
• Since none of the conditions above are true, the final else block executes.

Therefore, it prints: It's cold outside.

This type of conditional logic is useful for decision-making based on numeric ranges or categories.

Example 3: Nested Conditions

public class NestedIfElseIf {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int marks = 78;
        char section = 'A';

        if (marks >= 75) {
            if (section == 'A') {
                System.out.println("Eligible for Scholarship in Section A");
            } else if (section == 'B') {
                System.out.println("Eligible for Scholarship in Section B");
            } else {
                System.out.println("Eligible but section not identified");
            }
        } else {
            System.out.println("Not eligible for scholarship");
        }
    }
}

Eligible for Scholarship in Section A

Explanation:

This program demonstrates how nested if-else conditions work in Java. The outer if checks whether the student has scored 75 or more marks. If this condition is true, the program then checks the section to determine the specific eligibility message:

• If marks ≥ 75 and section is 'A': Prints "Eligible for Scholarship in Section A"
• If marks ≥ 75 and section is 'B': Prints "Eligible for Scholarship in Section B"
• If marks ≥ 75 but section is neither 'A' nor 'B': Prints "Eligible but section not identified"
• If marks < 75: Prints "Not eligible for scholarship" (outer else)

In this specific case, since marks = 78 and section = 'A', the output is:

Eligible for Scholarship in Section A

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using if else if

• Using = instead of == in conditions (assignment vs comparison).
• Forgetting the else block when it's needed to handle all unexpected cases.
• Overusing if-else-if instead of switch when checking for fixed values.

When to Use if-else-if Ladder

Use if-else-if when:

• You need to check ranges (e.g., temperature, scores).
• Conditions are not fixed values but expressions.
• You want to perform different logic based on multiple distinct rules.