Python: Get a string made of its first three characters of a specified string

Last update on June 12 2025 12:43:22 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

Get first 3 chars of a string.

Write a Python function to get a string made of the first three characters of a specified string. If the length of the string is less than 3, return the original string.

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Define a function named first_three that takes one argument, 'str'.
def first_three(str):
    # Check if the length of the input string 'str' is greater than 3.
    if len(str) > 3:
        # If the string is longer than 3 characters, return the first three characters using slicing.
        return str[:3]
    else:
        # If the string is 3 characters or shorter, return the entire string.
        return str

# Call the first_three function with different input strings and print the results.
print(first_three('ipy'))      # Output: 'ipy'
print(first_three('python'))   # Output: 'pyt'
print(first_three('py'))       # Output: 'py'

Sample Output:

ipy                                                                                                           
pyt                                                                                                           
py 

Flowchart:

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

• Write a Python function to return the first three characters of a string using slicing, or the entire string if its length is less than 3.
• Write a Python program to extract the first three characters conditionally using a ternary operator.
• Write a Python program to implement the function recursively that returns the first three characters if available.
• Write a Python program to use an if-else statement to check string length and output either the first three characters or the original string.

Go to:

• Python Data Type String Exercises Home ↩
• Python Exercises Home ↩

Previous: Write a Python function to get a string made of 4 copies of the last two characters of a specified string (length must be at least 2).
Next: Write a Python program to get the last part of a string before a specified character.

Python Code Editor:

Contribute your code and comments through Disqus.