Java Continue Statement - Skip Current Iteration

⏱️ 6 min read • Beginner Level • Lesson 31

The continue statement in Java is used to skip the current iteration of a loop and move directly to the next iteration.

Before learning continue, you should understand Java for loop, Java while loop, Java do-while loop, and Java break statement.

What is continue Statement in Java?

In Java, the continue statement skips the remaining code of the current loop iteration and moves control to the next iteration.

Syntax of continue Statement

continue;

Flowchart of continue Statement

The following flowchart shows how the continue statement skips the current iteration and moves directly to the next iteration of the loop.

Real-World Uses of continue Statement

Example: continue in for Loop

This example skips printing number 3.

public class ContinueInForLoop {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
            if (i == 3) {
                continue;
            }

            System.out.println(i);
        }
    }
}

Output:

1
2
4
5

Example: continue in while Loop

In a while loop, update the counter before continue. Otherwise, the loop may become infinite.

public class ContinueInWhileLoop {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int i = 0;

        while (i < 5) {
            i++;

            if (i == 3) {
                continue;
            }

            System.out.println(i);
        }
    }
}

Output:

1
2
4
5

Real Example: Skip Even Numbers

This program prints only odd numbers by skipping even numbers.

public class SkipEvenNumbers {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
            if (i % 2 == 0) {
                continue;
            }

            System.out.println(i);
        }
    }
}

Output:

1
3
5
7
9

Real Example: Skip Blocked Users

This example skips blocked users and processes only active users.

public class SkipBlockedUsers {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        String[] users = {"Ayan", "Blocked", "Sarah", "John"};

        for (String user : users) {
            if (user.equals("Blocked")) {
                continue;
            }

            System.out.println("Processing user: " + user);
        }
    }
}

Output:

Processing user: Ayan
Processing user: Sarah
Processing user: John

continue in Nested Loops

In nested loops, a normal continue skips only the current iteration of the nearest inner loop.

public class ContinueNestedLoop {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        for (int row = 1; row <= 2; row++) {
            for (int col = 1; col <= 3; col++) {
                if (col == 2) {
                    continue;
                }

                System.out.println("row = " + row + ", col = " + col);
            }
        }
    }
}

Output:

row = 1, col = 1
row = 1, col = 3
row = 2, col = 1
row = 2, col = 3

Difference Between break and continue

Common Mistakes with continue

Interview Questions ⭐

🧠 Test your understanding with a quick quiz

for (int i = 1; i <= 6; i++) {
    if (i % 2 == 0) {
        continue;
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
    if (i == 3) {
        continue;
    }
    System.out.println(i);
}

🎉 Great job! Continue learning Java step by step.