Python .capitalize()

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Published May 10, 2021Updated Sep 30, 2025
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The Python .capitalize() method is a built-in string method that converts the first character of a string to uppercase and all subsequent characters to lowercase. It is particularly useful for presenting data, handling user input, or preparing text for display.

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Python .capitalize() Syntax

str.capitalize()

Parameters:

The Python .capitalize() method does not take any parameters.

Return value:

Returns a new string with the changes applied.

Example 1: Handling Uppercase Sentences Using Python .capitalize()

This example uses Python .capitalize() on an uppercase sentence:

print("WELCOME TO CODECADEMY DOCS!".capitalize())

This will result in:

Welcome to codecademy docs!

Example 2: Handling Lowercase Sentences Using Python .capitalize()

This example uses Python .capitalize() on a lowercase sentence:

text = "welcome to new york city"
print(text.capitalize())

This will result in:

Welcome to new york city

Codebyte Example: Handling Mixed-Case Sentences Using Python .capitalize()

This codebyte example uses Python .capitalize() on a mixed-case sentence:

Code
Output

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Python .capitalize()?

The Python .capitalize() method is a built-in string method that converts the first character of a string to uppercase and all subsequent characters to lowercase.

2. How to capitalize all text in Python?

If you want to convert all characters in a string to uppercase in Python, you should use the .upper() method instead of .capitalize():

text = "hello world"
upper_text = text.upper()
print(upper_text)

Here is the output:

HELLO WORLD

3. Does Python .capitalize() modify the original string?

No, Python .capitalize() does not modify the original string. Strings in Python are immutable, which means methods like .capitalize() return a new string and leave the original unchanged.

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