Python Number Guessing Game Example

A number guessing game is a great beginner project because it combines several core Python ideas in one small program.

In this example, Python picks a random number, asks the user to guess it, and keeps running until the correct answer is entered. The goal here is not just to copy the code, but to understand how each part works.

Quick example

This is the shortest working version:

import random

secret_number = random.randint(1, 10)

while True:
    guess = int(input("Guess a number from 1 to 10: "))

    if guess == secret_number:
        print("You guessed it!")
        break
    elif guess < secret_number:
        print("Too low")
    else:
        print("Too high")

This version uses:

random.randint() to choose a secret number
input() to get the user's guess
int() to turn text into a number
a while loop to keep asking
if, elif, and else to check the guess
break to stop the loop when the user wins

What this example teaches

This project helps you practice how to:

combine input, loops, and conditions in one small project
generate a random number with random.randint()
compare a user guess with a secret number
stop a loop when the correct answer is found

How the game works

The program follows a simple pattern:

The program picks a random number.
The user enters a guess.
The program checks whether the guess is too low, too high, or correct.
The loop repeats until the user guesses correctly.

That makes this a good first project because each step is easy to follow.

Code walkthrough

Here is the same program again:

import random

secret_number = random.randint(1, 10)

while True:
    guess = int(input("Guess a number from 1 to 10: "))

    if guess == secret_number:
        print("You guessed it!")
        break
    elif guess < secret_number:
        print("Too low")
    else:
        print("Too high")

Import the random module

import random

Python needs the random module before it can use random number tools.

If you forget this line, the program will fail when it reaches random.randint(). For a broader overview, see the Python random module overview.

Store the secret number in a variable

secret_number = random.randint(1, 10)

This line creates a random integer from 1 to 10 and stores it in secret_number.

random.randint(1, 10) includes both 1 and 10
the value stays the same for the whole game
the user does not see this number

Use input() to get a guess

guess = int(input("Guess a number from 1 to 10: "))

This does two things:

input(...) shows a message and waits for the user to type something
int(...) converts that text into a whole number

This matters because input() always returns text. If you want more help with this step, see how to convert user input to numbers in Python.

Use a while loop to keep asking

while True:

This creates a loop that runs again and again.

Because True is always true, the loop keeps going until something stops it. In this program, break stops it when the guess is correct.

Use if, elif, and else to compare the guess

if guess == secret_number:
    print("You guessed it!")
    break
elif guess < secret_number:
    print("Too low")
else:
    print("Too high")

This comparison block checks three cases:

if the guess matches the secret number, the player wins
if the guess is smaller, the program says "Too low"
otherwise, the guess must be bigger, so it says "Too high"

If you want a full beginner explanation of this pattern, see Python if, else, and elif explained.

Use break to end the loop

break

Without break, the loop would continue forever, even after the correct guess.

That is why break must be inside the correct if block.

Beginner version to show first

When you build your first guessing game, keep it simple:

use a small range such as 1 to 10
use one loop and one comparison block
avoid advanced features like functions at first
test the program after every small change

Here is a beginner-friendly version again:

import random

secret_number = random.randint(1, 10)

while True:
    guess = int(input("Guess a number from 1 to 10: "))

    if guess == secret_number:
        print("You guessed it!")
        break
    elif guess < secret_number:
        print("Too low")
    else:
        print("Too high")

Example run:

Guess a number from 1 to 10: 4
Too low
Guess a number from 1 to 10: 8
Too high
Guess a number from 1 to 10: 6
You guessed it!

Useful improvements

Once the basic game works, you can improve it in small steps.

Count the number of guesses

This version tracks how many times the user guessed:

import random

secret_number = random.randint(1, 10)
guess_count = 0

while True:
    guess = int(input("Guess a number from 1 to 10: "))
    guess_count += 1

    if guess == secret_number:
        print("You guessed it!")
        print("Guesses:", guess_count)
        break
    elif guess < secret_number:
        print("Too low")
    else:
        print("Too high")

Validate input to avoid crashes

If the user types letters, int() raises a ValueError. This safer version checks the input first:

import random

secret_number = random.randint(1, 10)

while True:
    user_text = input("Guess a number from 1 to 10: ")

    if not user_text.isdigit():
        print("Please enter a whole number.")
        continue

    guess = int(user_text)

    if guess == secret_number:
        print("You guessed it!")
        break
    elif guess < secret_number:
        print("Too low")
    else:
        print("Too high")

Limit the number of attempts

You can also stop the game after a fixed number of guesses:

import random

secret_number = random.randint(1, 10)
attempts_left = 3

while attempts_left > 0:
    guess = int(input("Guess a number from 1 to 10: "))

    if guess == secret_number:
        print("You guessed it!")
        break
    elif guess < secret_number:
        print("Too low")
    else:
        print("Too high")

    attempts_left -= 1
    print("Attempts left:", attempts_left)

if attempts_left == 0 and guess != secret_number:
    print("Game over. The number was", secret_number)

Let the user play again

A good next step is wrapping the game in another loop so the user can start a new round after winning.

Common problems in this project

Here are the most common beginner mistakes in a guessing game.

ValueError when converting input

Problem:

you type letters like hello
the program uses int() on that text
Python crashes with ValueError

Example:

guess = int(input("Guess a number: "))

If the user enters hello, this line fails.

Fixes:

only enter number text such as 5
validate the input before calling int()
read ValueError: invalid literal for int() with base 10

Infinite loop because break is missing

If break is missing, the loop never ends after the correct answer.

Wrong idea:

if guess == secret_number:
    print("You guessed it!")

Better:

if guess == secret_number:
    print("You guessed it!")
    break

Wrong indentation

Indentation controls which lines belong inside the loop or inside an if block.

For example, this is wrong:

while True:
guess = int(input("Guess a number: "))

Python expects the loop body to be indented.

Correct version:

while True:
    guess = int(input("Guess a number: "))

If you see this kind of problem, read IndentationError: expected an indented block.

Forgetting to import random

If you use random.randint() without import random, Python does not know what random means.

Always include:

import random

Other common causes

These mistakes also happen often:

using input() without converting the result to int() before comparing with a number
typing words like hello when the program expects a number
placing break outside the correct if block
misspelling randint or random
using incorrect indentation in the loop