print vs println in Java

Last Updated : 11 Jun, 2026

In Java, print() and println() are methods of the PrintStream class used to display output on the console. Both methods print data such as strings, numbers, characters, and objects, but they differ in how they handle the cursor position after printing. Understanding their difference is important for formatting console output correctly.

print() displays output and keeps the cursor on the same line.
println() displays output and moves the cursor to the next line.
Both methods are commonly used with System.out.

print() Method

print() method in Java is used to display a text on the console. This text is passed as the parameter to this method in the form of String. This method prints the text on the console and the cursor remains at the end of the text at the console.

Prints output on the console.
Cursor remains at the end of the printed text.

Output

GfG1GfG2

println() Method

println() method in Java is also used to display a text on the console. This text is passed as the parameter to this method in the form of String. This method prints the text on the console and the cursor remains at the start of the next line at the console.

Can be called with or without arguments.
Helps improve output readability.

Output

GfG1
GfG2

Example Demonstrating Both Methods

Output

Hello Java
Welcome Developers

print() Vs println()

Feature	print()	println()
Line Break	Does not add a new line	Adds a new line after printing
Cursor Position	Remains at end of current line	Moves to beginning of next line
Empty Call	Not allowed	Allowed (`println()`)
Output Format	Continuous output	Separate line output
Readability	Less readable for multiple outputs	More readable
Usage	Same-line printing	Line-by-line printing
Syntax	System.out.print(data);	System.out.println(data);
Newline Character	Not inserted	Automatically inserted
Common Use Case	Menus, formatted text, inline output	Messages, results, reports
Return Type	`void`	`void`