set() Function in python (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 17 Feb, 2026

set() function in Python is used to create a set, which is an unordered collection of unique elements. It removes duplicate values automatically and accepts an iterable such as a list, tuple, string, range or dictionary.

**Example: In this example, set() is used to create a set from a list containing duplicate values.

Python `

a = [1, 2, 2, 3] s = set(a) print(s)

`

**Explanation: set(a) converts the list a into a set and duplicate value 2 is removed automatically.

Syntax

set(iterable)

• **Parameters: iterable (optional) - An iterable like list, tuple, string, range or dictionary. If not provided, it creates an empty set.
• **Returns: Returns a new set with unique elements.

Examples

**Example 1: In this example, an empty set is created using set(). This is useful when elements need to be added later.

Python `

a = set() print(a)
print(type(a))

`

Output

set() <class 'set'>

**Explanation: set() creates an empty set and type(s) confirms the object is a set.

**Example 2: In this example, a list with duplicate values is converted into a set. This removes all repeated elements.

Python `

a = [4, 5, 5, 6, 7] s = set(a) print(s)

`

**Explanation: set(a) removes duplicate value 5 and only unique elements remain.

**Example 3: In this example, a tuple is converted into a set. Duplicate values are removed automatically.

Python `

t = (1, 1, 2, 3) s = set(t) print(s)

`

**Explanation: set(t) converts tuple t into a set, duplicate value 1 is removed.

**Example 4: In this example, range() is used with set() to create a set of numbers.

Python `

s = set(range(3, 8)) print(s)

`

**Explanation: set(range(3, 8)) creates a set from numbers generated by range().

**Example 5: In this example, a dictionary is passed to set(). Only dictionary keys are included in the set.

Python `

d = {'x': 1, 'y': 2, 'z': 3} s = set(d) print(s)

`