Python TypeError List Object Cannot be Interpreted as an Integer [Fixed]

Written by Kolade Chris | Jan 11, 2025 | #Error #Python | 2 minutes Read

In Python, using a list directly in a built-in function that expects an integer input will result in the error `TypeError: ‘list’ object cannot be interpreted as an integer.

Let’s look at a few causes of the error and how you can fix each of them.

What Causes the List Object Cannot be Interpreted as an Integer Error?

A good example of what causes the error is using a list in the range() function:

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my_list = [1, 2, 3]
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for i in range(my_list):
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 print(i) # TypeError: 'list' object cannot be interpreted as an integer

If you also use a list as the step parameter of the range() function, the error will be triggered:

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step = [2]
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for i in range(0, 10, step):
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   print(i) # TypeError: 'list' object cannot be interpreted as an integer

Another built-in function that expects an integer is round(). SO, using a list in it will trigger the same error:

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value = 3.14159
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decimal_places = [2]
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rounded_value = round(value, decimal_places)# TypeError: 'list' object cannot be interpreted as an integer

enumerate is another function that expects an integer as its optional start parameter. If you go ahead and use a list for that, you’ll get the error:

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items = ['apple', 'orange', 'grape']
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start = [1]
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for index, item in enumerate(items, start=start):
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 print(index, item) # TypeError: 'list' object cannot be interpreted as an integer

How to Fix the List Object Cannot be Interpreted as an Integer Error

If you’re working with the range() function and its causing the TypeError: 'list' object cannot be interpreted as an integer error, use the length of the list instead by wrapping it in the len() function:

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my_list = [1, 2, 3]
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for i in range(len(my_list)):
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 print(i) # 0 1 2 (in their respective lines)

Using len() on the list will return the length of the list, which is a valid integer.

Since three items are in the my_list list above, that integer would be 3, hence the 0 1 2 result.

If using the enumerate() in a code causes the error, find a way to make sure the start parameter is accepting an integer, not a list.

This is incorrect:

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items = ['apple', 'orange', 'grape']
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start = [1]
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for index, item in enumerate(items, start=start):
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 print(index, item)

This is correct:

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items = ['apple', 'orange', 'grape']
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start = [1]
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for index, item in enumerate(items, start=len(start)):
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 print(index, item)

This is also correct:

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items = ['apple', 'orange', 'grape']
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start = 1
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for index, item in enumerate(items, start=start):
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 print(index, item)

I hope this article helped you fix the error. Thank you for reading!