Java Return Statement - Return Values from Methods

⏱️ 7 min read • Beginner Level • Lesson 32

The return statement in Java is used to return control from a method back to the place where the method was called. It can also return a value from a method.

Before learning return, you should understand Java methods, Java data types, Java if statement, and Java continue statement.

What is return Statement in Java?

The return statement is used inside a method. When Java executes return, the method stops immediately and control goes back to the caller.

Syntax of return Statement

There are two common forms of return statement:

return;        // used in void methods

return value;  // used in methods that return a value

return in void Method

In a void method, return; is used to stop the method early. It does not return any value.

public class ReturnInVoidMethod {
    static void checkAge(int age) {
        if (age < 18) {
            System.out.println("Not eligible");
            return;
        }

        System.out.println("Eligible");
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        checkAge(15);
        checkAge(20);
    }
}

Output:

Not eligible
Eligible

Return Value from Method

A method can return a value using return value;. The returned value must match the method return type.

public class ReturnValueExample {
    static int add(int a, int b) {
        return a + b;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int result = add(10, 20);
        System.out.println("Sum = " + result);
    }
}

Output:

Sum = 30

Early return Example

Early return means stopping a method early when a certain condition is met. It helps reduce unnecessary code execution.

public class EarlyReturnExample {
    static void login(String username) {
        if (username == null) {
            System.out.println("Username is required");
            return;
        }

        System.out.println("Welcome, " + username);
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        login(null);
        login("Ayan");
    }
}

Output:

Username is required
Welcome, Ayan

return with if-else

A method can return different values based on conditions.

public class PassFailReturn {
    static String checkResult(int marks) {
        if (marks >= 33) {
            return "Pass";
        } else {
            return "Fail";
        }
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(checkResult(75));
        System.out.println(checkResult(20));
    }
}

Output:

Pass
Fail

Return Expression from Method

A return statement can also return an expression. Java evaluates the expression first, then returns the result.

public class ReturnExpressionExample {
    static int square(int number) {
        return number * number;
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(square(6));
    }
}

Output:

36

Return Array from Method

A method can return arrays and objects also, not only primitive values.

public class ReturnArrayExample {
    static int[] getMarks() {
        return new int[] {80, 90, 75};
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int[] marks = getMarks();

        for (int mark : marks) {
            System.out.println(mark);
        }
    }
}

Output:

80
90
75

Unreachable Code after return

Any statement written immediately after return in the same block becomes unreachable. Java does not allow unreachable code.

public class UnreachableCodeExample {
    static int getNumber() {
        return 10;

        // System.out.println("This line is unreachable");
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(getNumber());
    }
}

Difference Between return, break and continue

Real-World Uses of return

Common Mistakes with return

Interview Questions ⭐

🧠 Test your understanding with a quick quiz

static void show() {
    return 10;
}

static int add(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}

public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println(add(10, 20));
}

static int getNumber() {
    // return statement here
}

static String check(int marks) {
    if (marks >= 33) {
        return "Pass";
    }
    return "Fail";
}

public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println(check(75));
}

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