Python CSV Reader Example

This example shows how to read a CSV file in Python with the built-in csv module.

It focuses on one simple working script:

open a CSV file
read each row
print the row
understand what the output means

If you want the fastest working example, start here:

import csv

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file)
    for row in reader:
        print(row)

Use this when you want the quickest way to read rows from a CSV file.

What this example shows

In this page, you will learn:

how to open a CSV file safely with with open(...)
how to use csv.reader() to read rows
how each row becomes a list of values
when this simple approach is enough for beginners

This is a good starting example if you want to see CSV reading work before moving to a more detailed guide like how to read a CSV file in Python.

Example CSV file to use

Create a file named data.csv in the same folder as your Python script.

Put this content inside it:

name,age,city
Alice,30,London
Bob,25,Paris
Charlie,35,Berlin

This small file makes it easy to test the code right away.

Basic CSV reader script

Here is the full script again:

import csv

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file)
    for row in reader:
        print(row)

What each part does

import csv

loads Python's built-in CSV tools
without this line, csv.reader() will not work

open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8')

opens the file for reading
encoding='utf-8' helps Python read text correctly
newline='' is the recommended way to open CSV files with the csv module

with open(...) as file

opens the file safely
closes it automatically when finished

reader = csv.reader(file)

creates a CSV reader object
this lets you loop through the file row by row

for row in reader:

reads one row at a time

print(row)

prints each row so you can see what Python read

If you want to understand open() better, see Python open() function explained and Python file handling basics.

How to understand the output

For the sample CSV file above, the script prints:

['name', 'age', 'city']
['Alice', '30', 'London']
['Bob', '25', 'Paris']
['Charlie', '35', 'Berlin']

A few important things to notice:

each row is a Python list
the first row is the header row
all values are read as strings by default

That means:

'30' is a string, not a number
'25' is also a string
if you need numbers, you must convert them yourself

For example, if you later want to turn '30' into 30, see how to convert string to int in Python.

You can also test what type each row is:

import csv

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file)
    for row in reader:
        print(row)
        print(type(row))

Expected type:

<class 'list'>

Skipping the header row

Often, the first row contains column names like name, age, and city.

If you want to skip that row, call next(reader) once before the loop:

import csv

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file)
    next(reader)  # Skip the header row

    for row in reader:
        print(row)

Output:

['Alice', '30', 'London']
['Bob', '25', 'Paris']
['Charlie', '35', 'Berlin']

This is useful when you only want the real data rows.

Reading CSV rows as dictionaries

csv.reader() gives you lists.

If you want to access values by column name instead of position, use csv.DictReader():

import csv

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.DictReader(file)

    for row in reader:
        print(row['name'], row['age'], row['city'])

Output:

Alice 30 London
Bob 25 Paris
Charlie 35 Berlin

This is often easier for beginners because:

row['name'] is clearer than row[0]
column names become dictionary keys
you do not need to manually skip the header row

If you want a broader overview, see the Python csv module overview.

Common beginner mistakes

Here are some common problems when reading CSV files.

Wrong file path

If Python cannot find data.csv, you may get a FileNotFoundError.

Example:

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    ...

This only works if data.csv is in the folder Python expects.

To check your current working folder:

import os
print(os.getcwd())

To check whether the file exists:

import os
print(os.path.exists('data.csv'))

If you need help with this error, see FileNotFoundError: No such file or directory fix or how to check if a file exists in Python.

Forgetting to import csv

This will not work:

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file)

You must include:

import csv

Expecting numbers instead of strings

CSV files store text.

So this row:

['Alice', '30', 'London']

contains '30' as a string.

You can confirm that with debugging prints:

import csv

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file)
    for row in reader:
        print(row)
        print(len(row))

Not handling the header row

If your first printed row is:

['name', 'age', 'city']

that is the header, not actual data.

Use next(reader) if you want to skip it.

Wrong file or wrong folder

Sometimes the script runs, but you are reading the wrong CSV file.

This can happen if:

the file is in another folder
you have multiple files with similar names
your editor runs the script from a different location

Simple checks like these can help:

import os
print(os.getcwd())
print(os.path.exists('data.csv'))

Wrong delimiter

Some CSV-like files use semicolons instead of commas.

For example:

name;age;city
Alice;30;London

If that happens, csv.reader() may not split the row the way you expect.

You would need to pass a delimiter:

import csv

with open('data.csv', newline='', encoding='utf-8') as file:
    reader = csv.reader(file, delimiter=';')
    for row in reader:
        print(row)

When to use this example vs other pages

Use this page when you want:

one full working CSV reader example
a quick way to test reading rows
a simple starting point before learning more

Use other pages when you need something more specific:

how to read a CSV file in Python for step-by-step task guidance
Python csv module overview for a broader look at CSV tools
Python open() function explained for deeper understanding of file opening
Python file handling basics for the bigger picture of working with files

FAQ

Why does each row look like a list?

csv.reader() returns each row as a list of strings.

Why are numbers read as strings?

CSV files store plain text, so Python reads values as strings unless you convert them.

How do I skip the first row?

Call next(reader) once before looping through the remaining rows.

When should I use DictReader instead?

Use csv.DictReader() when you want to access values by column name instead of index position.