9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
Tutorials References Exercises Menu Log in
Pro Get Certified Free Website
Dark mode
Dark code
HTML CSS JAVASCRIPT SQL PYTHON
C Data Types
❮ Previous Next ❯
Data Types
As explained in the Variables chapter, a variable in C must be a specified data type, and you must use a format specifier
inside the printf() function to display it:
Example
// Create variables
int myNum = 5; // Integer (whole number)
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 1/8
9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
float myFloatNum = 5.99; // Floating point number
char myLetter = 'D'; // Character
// Print variables
printf("%d\n", myNum);
printf("%f\n", myFloatNum);
printf("%c\n", myLetter);
Try it Yourself »
Basic Data Types
The data type specifies the size and type of information the variable will store.
In this tutorial, we will focus on the most basic ones:
Data Type Size Description
int 2 or 4 bytes Stores whole numbers, without decimals
float 4 bytes Stores fractional numbers, containing one or more decimals. Sufficient for storing 7
decimal digits
double 8 bytes Stores fractional numbers, containing one or more decimals. Sufficient for storing 15
decimal digits
char 1 byte Stores a single character/letter/number, or ASCII values
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 2/8
9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
Basic Format Specifiers
There are different format specifiers for each data type. Here are some of them:
Format Specifier Data Type Try it
%d or %i int Try it »
%f float Try it »
%lf double Try it »
%c char Try it »
%s Used for strings (text), which you will learn more about in a later chapter Try it »
C Exercises
Test Yourself With Exercises
Exercise:
Add the correct data type for the following variables:
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 3/8
9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
myNum = 5;
myFloatNum = 5.99;
myLetter = 'D';
Submit Answer »
Start the Exercise
❮ Previous Next ❯
ADVERTISEMENT
NEW
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 4/8
9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
We just launched
W3Schools videos
Explore now
COLOR PICKER
Get certified
by completing
a course today!
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 5/8
9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
school
w3 s
2
CE
02
TI 2
R
FI .
ED
Get started
CODE GAME
Play Game
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 6/8
9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
ADVERTISEMENT
Master Basic &
Advanced Concepts in
Machine & Deep Open
Learning with IIM
IIM Kashipur | TimesPro Kashipur
Report Error Spaces Pro Buy Certificate
Top Tutorials Top References
HTML Tutorial HTML Reference
CSS Tutorial CSS Reference
JavaScript Tutorial JavaScript Reference
How To Tutorial SQL Reference
SQL Tutorial Python Reference
Python Tutorial W3.CSS Reference
W3.CSS Tutorial Bootstrap Reference
Bootstrap Tutorial PHP Reference
PHP Tutorial HTML Colors
Java Tutorial Java Reference
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 7/8
9/28/22, 8:15 PM C Data Types
C++ Tutorial Angular Reference
jQuery Tutorial jQuery Reference
Top Examples Get Certified
HTML Examples HTML Certificate
CSS Examples CSS Certificate
JavaScript Examples JavaScript Certificate
How To Examples Front End Certificate
SQL Examples SQL Certificate
Python Examples Python Certificate
W3.CSS Examples PHP Certificate
Bootstrap Examples jQuery Certificate
PHP Examples Java Certificate
Java Examples C++ Certificate
XML Examples C# Certificate
jQuery Examples XML Certificate
FORUM | ABOUT
W3Schools is optimized for learning and training. Examples might be simplified to improve reading and learning. Tutorials, references, and examples are
constantly reviewed to avoid errors, but we cannot warrant full correctness of all content. While using W3Schools, you agree to have read and accepted our
terms of use, cookie and privacy policy.
Copyright 1999-2022 by Refsnes Data. All Rights Reserved.
W3Schools is Powered by W3.CSS.
https://www.w3schools.com/c/c_data_types.php 8/8
