Python String center() Method

The center() method in Python returns a new string of a given length with the original string center-aligned, and padded with spaces or a specified fill character on both sides.

Syntax

string.center(width, fillchar=' ')

Parameters:

• width – Total length of the final string (including the original string and padding)
• fillchar (optional) – The character used for padding (default is space)

Returns:

• A new centered string of specified width

Example 1: Center a String with Spaces

text = "Python"
centered = text.center(10)
print(centered)

  Python  

Why? The original string is 6 characters long. To make it 10 characters wide, 2 spaces are added to each side.

Example 2: Center a String with Custom Character

text = "Python"
centered = text.center(12, '*')
print(centered)

***Python***

Note: If the number of padding characters is odd, the extra character is placed on the right side.

Use Case: Formatting Output

Centering is often used when displaying titles or headers in reports or CLI tools.

title = "Welcome"
print(title.center(30, '='))

===========Welcome===========

Common Mistakes

• Using a multi-character string for fillchar will raise a TypeError
• Passing a non-integer value for width will also raise an error

Interview Tip

If asked to format text output in coding interviews, methods like center(), ljust(), and rjust() are great tools to mention.

Summary

• center() centers a string in a field of a given width
• Spaces are used for padding by default, but you can specify a different character
• Useful for text formatting in CLI or reports

Practice Problem

Write a program that takes a user's name and displays it centered within a line of asterisks:

name = input("Enter your name: ")
print(name.center(30, '*'))