For a text file that fits comfortably in memory, open it with a context manager and print the string returned by read():
with open("example.txt", encoding="utf-8") as f:
print(f.read())For a large file, iterate over its lines instead. The examples below show how to choose, avoid extra blank lines, and handle encoding and binary data.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choose the right way to read the file
| Situation | Approach | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Small or moderate text file | with open(path, encoding="utf-8") as f: print(f.read()) |
Simple, but reads the entire decoded file into memory. |
| Large text file | Iterate over the file object and print each line with end="". |
Processes the file incrementally and avoids adding a second newline. |
| Path-oriented whole-file read | Path(path).read_text(encoding="utf-8") |
Convenient, but still reads the whole file into memory. |
| Binary file, such as an image or executable | Open in binary mode and process bytes. | Text decoding and newline conversion are not suitable for arbitrary binary data. |
Print a text file that fits in memory
Use open() with with so the file is closed when the block ends, even if an exception occurs:
with open("example.txt", encoding="utf-8") as f:
print(f.read())With no size argument, f.read() returns the entire file as one string. This is straightforward for a reasonably sized file, but memory use grows with the file’s contents. Python’s tutorial recommends specifying UTF-8 unless you know the file requires another encoding: Python tutorial: Input and Output.
#1 Best Overall
Print a large text file line by line
Iterating over the file avoids loading all its contents into memory at once:
with open("example.txt", encoding="utf-8") as f:
for line in f:
print(line, end="")A line read from the file normally already includes its line ending. Since print() adds a newline by default, end="" prevents an extra newline after every line. This preserves the existing line breaks while processing incrementally. See the Python tutorial’s file iteration example.
Use pathlib for a concise whole-file read
If you prefer a path-oriented API, Path.read_text() reads and decodes a text file, returns its contents as a string, and closes the file when finished:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minutefrom pathlib import Path
print(Path("example.txt").read_text(encoding="utf-8"))This is convenient for a reasonably sized file, but like f.read(), it holds the full text in memory. The method is documented in the Python pathlib reference.
Set the encoding explicitly
Text mode converts the file’s bytes into a Python string, so the encoding must match the file. If you omit encoding, Python uses a platform-dependent default; the same code can therefore behave differently across environments. Specify the known encoding, using UTF-8 when appropriate. The behavior of open() and its encoding parameter is described in the built-in open() reference.
If you see a decoding error, check how the file was saved and pass that encoding explicitly rather than relying on the machine’s default. In text mode, Python also translates platform-specific line endings by default.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Handle binary files as bytes
Do not use a text-reading pattern to display arbitrary binary data such as a JPEG or executable. Text mode decodes bytes and may translate line endings, neither of which is appropriate for general binary content. Open binary data with a mode containing b, such as "rb", and process the resulting bytes according to the file format. See the open() documentation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
