How to Create an Object in Python

To create an object in Python, you first define a class, then call the class name like a function.

This page shows you how to:

• Create an object from a class
• Understand the difference between the class name and the object variable
• Pass starting values when creating an object
• Use the object’s data and methods right away

Quick answer #

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_dog = Dog("Max")
print(my_dog.name)

Output:

Max

Create a class, call the class name like a function, and store the new object in a variable.

What this page helps you do #

• Create an object from a class
• Understand the class name vs the object variable
• Pass starting values when creating an object
• Use the object’s data and methods

What an object is in simple terms #

A class is a blueprint.

An object is one real thing created from that blueprint.

For example, if Dog is a class, then Dog("Max") creates one dog object.

Important ideas:

• A class is a blueprint
• An object is one real item made from that blueprint
• You can create many objects from the same class
• Each object can store its own values

If you want a deeper explanation, see Python classes and objects explained or what an object is in Python.

Basic steps to create an object #

The usual process is:

1. Define a class with class ClassName:
2. Optionally add __init__ to set starting values
3. Create the object with ClassName(...)
4. Save it in a variable like user = User(...)

Here is the general pattern:

class ClassName:
    def __init__(self, value):
        self.value = value

my_object = ClassName("example")

In this code:

• ClassName is the class
• my_object is the variable that stores the new object
• "example" is passed into __init__

Create an object without starting values #

This is the simplest possible example.

class Car:
    pass

my_car = Car()

print(type(my_car))
print(my_car)

Possible output:

<class '__main__.Car'>
<__main__.Car object at 0x...>

Why this example helps:

• The class can be empty except for pass
• You still create the object by calling the class name
• It shows the object creation step clearly

The important line is:

my_car = Car()

That creates one Car object and stores it in my_car.

Create an object with __init__ #

Most of the time, you will want to give the object some starting data.

__init__ is a special method that runs automatically when the object is created.

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name, age):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age

person1 = Person("Ana", 30)

print(person1.name)
print(person1.age)

Output:

Ana
30

What is happening here:

• __init__ runs when Person("Ana", 30) is called
• self refers to the object being created
• name and age receive the values you pass in
• self.name and self.age store those values in the object

So this line:

person1 = Person("Ana", 30)

creates the object and gives it starting values.

If you want to learn more about this method, see the __init__ method in Python explained.

Access object data and methods #

After creating an object, you usually want to use its data or call its methods.

Use dot notation for both.

Access data #

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

person = Person("Lina")
print(person.name)

Output:

Lina

Call a method #

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

    def say_hello(self):
        print("Hello, my name is", self.name)

person = Person("Lina")
person.say_hello()

Output:

Hello, my name is Lina

Key points:

• Use dot notation like person.name
• Call methods with dot notation like person.say_hello()
• Each object keeps its own attribute values
• The object variable points to that specific object

If you want to build your own class first, see how to create a class in Python. If you want objects to do more, see how to add methods to a class in Python.

Common beginner mistakes #

These are some common problems when creating objects in Python.

Forgetting parentheses #

Wrong:

class Dog:
    pass

my_dog = Dog
print(type(my_dog))

Here, my_dog refers to the class itself, not an object.

Correct:

class Dog:
    pass

my_dog = Dog()
print(type(my_dog))

Passing the wrong number of arguments #

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_dog = Dog()

This causes an error because name is required.

Correct:

my_dog = Dog("Max")

If you see this kind of problem, read how to fix TypeError: missing required positional argument.

Forgetting self inside class methods #

Wrong:

class Dog:
    def __init__(name):
        self.name = name

Correct:

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

Inside instance methods, the first parameter should usually be self.

Using a variable before assigning the object #

Wrong:

print(my_dog.name)

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_dog = Dog("Max")

Create the object first, then use it.

Other common causes #

• Trying to use a class before defining it
• Writing object = ClassName instead of object = ClassName()
• Defining __init__ with parameters but not passing values
• Misspelling the class name when creating the object

How this page differs from related pages #

This page focuses on the task of creating an object.

It does not try to fully explain all class design.

It stays practical and action-focused:

• Create an object
• Pass values into it
• Use its attributes and methods

For deeper learning, use these related pages:

• Python classes and objects explained
• The __init__ method in Python explained
• How to create a class in Python
• How to add methods to a class in Python

Helpful debugging checks #

If object creation is not working, these quick checks can help:

print(type(my_object))
print(my_object)
print(my_object.__dict__)
help(ClassName)

What these do:

• print(type(my_object)) shows the object’s type
• print(my_object) shows the object representation
• print(my_object.__dict__) shows the object’s stored attributes
• help(ClassName) shows information about the class

Example:

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_object = Dog("Max")

print(type(my_object))
print(my_object.__dict__)

Output:

<class '__main__.Dog'>
{'name': 'Max'}

FAQ #

What is the difference between a class and an object? #

A class is the template. An object is one instance created from that template.

Do I always need __init__ to create an object? #

No. You can create an object without __init__, but __init__ is useful for setting starting values.

Can I create more than one object from the same class? #

Yes. Each object is a separate instance and can have different data.

Example:

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

dog1 = Dog("Max")
dog2 = Dog("Bella")

print(dog1.name)
print(dog2.name)

Output:

Max
Bella

Why do I get a TypeError when creating an object? #

Usually because the arguments passed to the class do not match the __init__ parameters.

For example:

class User:
    def __init__(self, username):
        self.username = username

user = User()

This fails because username is missing.

See also #

• Python classes and objects explained
• The __init__ method in Python explained
• How to create a class in Python
• How to add methods to a class in Python
• How to fix TypeError: missing required positional argument
• What an object is in Python

Next step: learn how classes are structured, then add methods so your objects can do useful work.