C if , else if ladder (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 18 Oct, 2025

In C, if else if ladder is an extension of if else statement.

• It is used to test a series of conditions sequentially, executing the code for the first true condition. A condition is checked only if all previous ones are false.
• Once a condition is true, its code block executes, and the ladder ends. C `

#include <stdio.h>

int main() { int marks = 85;

// Assign grade based on marks
if (marks >= 90)
{
    printf("A\n");
}
else if (marks >= 80)
{
    printf("B\n");
}
else if (marks >= 70)
{
    printf("C\n");
}
else if (marks >= 60)
{
    printf("D\n");
}
else
{
    printf("F\n");
}

return 0;

}

`

**Explanation: The program checks the value of marks and assigns a grade based on predefined ranges. It checks from highest to lowest, printing the grade based on the conditions met, or "F" if none are met.

**Syntax of Complete if, else if Ladder

C `

if (condition1) { // Statements 1 } else if (condition2) { // Statements 2 } else { // Else body }

`

where,

• **condition1, condition2: Contitions that are to be tested.
• **statements 1, statements 2: Code block corresponding to each condition.
• **else body: code block to be executed if none of the condition evaluate to true.

**Working of if, else if Ladder

The working of if else if ladder can be understood using the following flowchart:

• If **Condition 1 evaluates to true, **Statement 1 is executed, and the rest of the else if and else conditions are skipped.
• If **Condition 1 is false, **Condition 2 is evaluated.
• If **Condition 2 evaluates to true, **Statement 2 is executed, and the else block is skipped.
• If **Condition 2 is also false, the **Else Body is executed.
• After completing the if-else-if ladder, the **statement just below the if are executed.

**Check if a number is positive, negative or 0

C `

#include <stdio.h>

int main() { int n = 10; printf("Number = %d \n", n); // Check if the number is positive, negative, or zero if (n > 0) { printf("Positive.\n"); } else if (n < 0) { printf("Negative.\n"); } else { printf("Zero.\n"); }

return 0;

}

`

Output

Number = 10 Positive.

**Explanation: The if-else if ladder checks whether the number is greater than zero (positive), less than zero (negative), or exactly zero. Based on the result, the corresponding message is printed.

Print the day name using day number

C `

#include <stdio.h>

int main() { int day = 3; printf("Day Number: %d\n", day); // Check the day of the week if (day == 1) { printf("Day Name: Monday\n"); } else if (day == 2) { printf("Day Name: Tuesday\n"); } else if (day == 3) { printf("Day Name: Wednesday\n"); } else if (day == 4) { printf("Day Name: Thursday\n"); } else if (day == 5) { printf("Day Name: Friday\n"); } else if (day == 6) { printf("Day Name: Saturday\n"); } else if (day == 7) { printf("Day Name: Sunday\n"); } else { printf("Invalid day Number\n"); }

return 0;

}

`

Output

Day Number: 3 Day Name: Wednesday

**Explanation: This program checks the value of day and prints the corresponding day of the week. If the value of day is not between 1 and 7, it prints "Invalid day."