Get Random Index from List in Python (4 Examples)

In this post, you’ll learn how to get a random index from a list in the Python language.

Here is an overview of the tutorial:

Let’s dive into it!

Load Library & Create Sample List

The first step in this tutorial will be to import the random module.

import random

Then, we will create a sample list as follows.

my_list = [1, 'two', 3.5, 4, 5]
print(my_list)
# [1, 'two', 3.5, 4, 5]

As you can see, my_list is a mixed-type list that contains three integers (e.g., 1), one string (‘two’), and one float (3.5). Now, we are ready to retrieve a random index from this list using several examples.

Example 1: Get Random Index Using random.choice() Function

The following Python syntax shows how to use the random.choice() function to randomly select an index from my_list.

random_index = random.choice(range(len(my_list)))
print(random_index)
# 3

Here, the random.choice() function chose a random number from 0 (the lowest valid index) to len(my_list) - 1 (the highest valid index) by using the range() and the len() functions. The selected random number, which in our case is 3, was then assigned to the random_index variable and finally printed into the console.

Example 2: Get Random Index Using random.randint() Function

This example is very similar to Example 1. It uses the randint() function of the random module to retrieve a random index in my_list. Take a look.

random_index = random.randint(0, len(my_list) - 1)
print(random_index)
# 4

Here, the randint() function generated a random integer between 0 and len(my_list) - 1. The randomly generated index was then assigned to random_index and printed to the console, which in this case is 4.

Example 3: Get Random Index Using random.random() Function

Another function of the random module that can be helpful to select a random index from my_list is the random() function. It works as follows.

random_index = int(random.random() * len(my_list))
print(random_index)
# 3

In the previous Python output, the random() function generated a floating-point number between 0 and 1. Multiplied by the length of my_list, it results in a random float value between 0 and len(my_list). This float value is converted to an integer by using the int() function and finally printed to the console.

Example 4: Get Random Index Using NumPy

In this last example, we will use the NumPy library to select a random index from my_list. To do so, we will first load the library.

import numpy as np

Now, we can use the random.randint() function to obtain a random index from our list as follows.

random_index = np.random.randint(0, len(my_list))
print(random_index)
# 0

The code from above shows how np.random.randint(0, len(my_list)) generates a random integer between 0 and len(my_list), which ensures that the generated index is within the valid bounds of the list’s indices.

Video, Further Resources & Summary

Do you need more explanations on how to retrieve a random index from a list in Python? Then you should have a look at the following YouTube video of the Statistics Globe YouTube channel.

The YouTube video will be added soon.

Besides that, you could have a look at some of the related tutorials on Statistics Globe:

• Get Last Index of List in Python
• Get First Index of List in Python
• Get Next Element in List in Python
• Get Index of Multiple List Elements in Python

This post has shown how to get a random index from a list in Python. Please let me know in the comments section below if you have additional questions.

This page was created in collaboration with Paula Villasante Soriano. Please have a look at Paula’s author page to get more information about her academic background and the other articles she has written for Statistics Globe.