Primitive Data Types

Java has 8 primitive data types that serve as the building blocks for all data manipulation. Understanding these types — their sizes, ranges, and uses — is essential for writing efficient Java programs. This is a foundational concept in enterprise application development that professional developers rely on daily. The explanations below are written to be beginner-friendly while covering the depth and nuance that comes from real-world Java experience. Take your time with each section and practice the examples

40 min•By Priygop Team•Last updated: Feb 2026

The 8 Primitive Types

byte — 1 byte, range: -128 to 127 (saves memory in large arrays)
short — 2 bytes, range: -32,768 to 32,767 (rarely used)
int — 4 bytes, range: ~±2 billion (most common for whole numbers)
long — 8 bytes, range: ~±9 quintillion (use 'L' suffix: 100L)
float — 4 bytes, ~7 decimal digits (use 'f' suffix: 3.14f)
double — 8 bytes, ~15 decimal digits (default for decimals)
boolean — true or false only (for conditions and flags)
char — 2 bytes, single Unicode character (use single quotes: 'A')

Primitive Types in Action

Example

public class DataTypes {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Integer types
        byte smallNumber = 100;          // -128 to 127
        short mediumNumber = 30000;      // -32,768 to 32,767
        int regularNumber = 2000000000;  // ~±2 billion
        long bigNumber = 9000000000L;    // Note the 'L' suffix!

        // Floating-point types
        float price = 19.99f;            // Note the 'f' suffix!
        double precise = 3.141592653589;

        // Boolean type
        boolean isJavaFun = true;
        boolean isFriday = false;

        // Character type
        char letter = 'J';
        char symbol = '@';
        char unicode = '\u0041';  // Unicode for 'A'

        System.out.println("byte: " + smallNumber);
        System.out.println("short: " + mediumNumber);
        System.out.println("int: " + regularNumber);
        System.out.println("long: " + bigNumber);
        System.out.println("float: " + price);
        System.out.println("double: " + precise);
        System.out.println("boolean: " + isJavaFun);
        System.out.println("char: " + letter);
        System.out.println("unicode: " + unicode);
    }
}

Try It Yourself: Explore Data Types

Try It Yourself: Explore Data TypesJava

Java Editor

✓ ValidTab = 2 spaces

public class TypeExplorer {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Try different data types!
        int items = 5;
        double pricePerItem = 29.99;
        double total = items * pricePerItem;
        
        System.out.println("Items: " + items);
        System.out.println("Price each: $" + pricePerItem);
        System.out.println("Total: $" + total);
        
        // Type casting: converting between types
        int rounded = (int) total;  // double to int
        System.out.println("Rounded total: $" + rounded);
        
        // What happens with integer division?
        int a = 7, b = 2;
        System.out.println("7 / 2 = " + (a / b));       // Integer division
        System.out.println("7.0 / 2 = " + (7.0 / 2));   // Floating division
    }
}

Output

Click ▶ Run to see the result

Edit the code on the left, then click Run

Java|21 lines|791 chars|✓ Valid syntax

UTF-8

Quick Quiz: Data Types

Primitive Data Types

40 min•By Priygop Team•Last updated: Feb 2026

The 8 Primitive Types

byte — 1 byte, range: -128 to 127 (saves memory in large arrays)

short — 2 bytes, range: -32,768 to 32,767 (rarely used)

int — 4 bytes, range: ~±2 billion (most common for whole numbers)

long — 8 bytes, range: ~±9 quintillion (use 'L' suffix: 100L)

float — 4 bytes, ~7 decimal digits (use 'f' suffix: 3.14f)

double — 8 bytes, ~15 decimal digits (default for decimals)

boolean — true or false only (for conditions and flags)

char — 2 bytes, single Unicode character (use single quotes: 'A')

Primitive Types in Action

Example

public class DataTypes {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Integer types
        byte smallNumber = 100;          // -128 to 127
        short mediumNumber = 30000;      // -32,768 to 32,767
        int regularNumber = 2000000000;  // ~±2 billion
        long bigNumber = 9000000000L;    // Note the 'L' suffix!

        // Floating-point types
        float price = 19.99f;            // Note the 'f' suffix!
        double precise = 3.141592653589;

        // Boolean type
        boolean isJavaFun = true;
        boolean isFriday = false;

        // Character type
        char letter = 'J';
        char symbol = '@';
        char unicode = '\u0041';  // Unicode for 'A'

        System.out.println("byte: " + smallNumber);
        System.out.println("short: " + mediumNumber);
        System.out.println("int: " + regularNumber);
        System.out.println("long: " + bigNumber);
        System.out.println("float: " + price);
        System.out.println("double: " + precise);
        System.out.println("boolean: " + isJavaFun);
        System.out.println("char: " + letter);
        System.out.println("unicode: " + unicode);
    }
}

Try It Yourself: Explore Data Types

Try It Yourself: Explore Data TypesJava

Java Editor

✓ ValidTab = 2 spaces

public class TypeExplorer {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Try different data types!
        int items = 5;
        double pricePerItem = 29.99;
        double total = items * pricePerItem;
        
        System.out.println("Items: " + items);
        System.out.println("Price each: $" + pricePerItem);
        System.out.println("Total: $" + total);
        
        // Type casting: converting between types
        int rounded = (int) total;  // double to int
        System.out.println("Rounded total: $" + rounded);
        
        // What happens with integer division?
        int a = 7, b = 2;
        System.out.println("7 / 2 = " + (a / b));       // Integer division
        System.out.println("7.0 / 2 = " + (7.0 / 2));   // Floating division
    }
}

Output

Click ▶ Run to see the result

Edit the code on the left, then click Run

Java|21 lines|791 chars|✓ Valid syntax

UTF-8

Primitive Data Types

The 8 Primitive Types

Primitive Types in Action

Try It Yourself: Explore Data Types

Quick Quiz: Data Types

Topics in This Module

Primitive Data Types

The 8 Primitive Types

Primitive Types in Action

Try It Yourself: Explore Data Types

Quick Quiz: Data Types

Topics in This Module