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Java Keywords
Last Updated : 4 Dec, 2025

In Java, keywords are the reserved words that have some predefined meanings and are used by the Java
compiler for some internal process or represent some predefined actions. These words cannot be used as
identifiers such as variable names, method names, class names, or object names.

Now, let us go through a simple example before a deep dive into the article.

class Geeks {

public static void main(String[] args)

{
// Using final and int keyword
final int x = 10;

// Using if and else keywords

if(x > 10){
[Link]("Failed");
}
else {
[Link]("Successful demonstration"
+" of keywords.");
}
}
}

Output

Successful demonstration of keywords.

What Happens if we use a Variable Name same as keyword?

Using a keyword as a variable name would give error as shown below.

class Geeks
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
String this = "Hello World!";
[Link](this);
}
}

Output:

./[Link]: error: not a statement

String this = "Hello World!";
^
./[Link]: error: ';' expected
String this = "Hello World!";
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2 errors

Important Points:
The keywords const and goto are reserved, even though they are not currently used in Java.
true, false, and null look like keywords, but in actuality they are literals. However, they still can't be
used as identifiers in a program.
In Java, keywords are case-sensitive, and writing Java keywords in upper case (like IF instead of if) will
throw an error.

Java Keywords List (As of Java 21)

Java keywords are reserved words that have predefined meanings in the language. They cannot be used
as identifiers (like variable or method names).

As of Java 21, there are 53 keywords, categorized below by their usage and purpose.

1. Data Type Keywords

Used to define variable types and specify the kind of data they can hold.

Keyword Usage

boolean Defines a variable that holds true or false.

byte Defines an 8-bit signed integer.

char Defines a 16-bit Unicode character.

short Defines a 16-bit signed integer.

int Defines a 32-bit signed integer.

long Defines a 64-bit signed integer.

float Defines a 32-bit floating-point number.

double Defines a 64-bit floating-point number.

void Specifies that a method does not return any value.

2. Control Flow Keywords

Used to control the execution flow of a program, including loops, branching, and jumps.

Keyword Usage

if Executes code when a condition is true.

else Defines an alternate block when an if condition is false.

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Keyword Usage

switch Selects one block of code among multiple options.

case Defines an individual branch in a switch statement.

default Defines the block executed if no case matches.

for Starts a for loop.

while Starts a while loop.

do Starts a do-while loop.

break Terminates the nearest loop or switch .

continue Skips to the next iteration of a loop.

return Exits from a method and optionally returns a value.

3. Exception Handling Keywords

Used for handling and managing runtime errors in programs.

Keyword Usage

try Defines a block of code to test for exceptions.

catch Defines a block to handle exceptions thrown by try .

finally Defines a block that always executes after try and catch .

throw Used to manually throw an exception.

throws Declares the exceptions a method can throw.

assert Tests assumptions during program execution for debugging.

4. Object-Oriented Keywords

Used to define classes, interfaces, and objects, as well as inheritance and encapsulation properties.

Keyword Usage

class Declares a class.

interface Declares an interface.

extends Indicates inheritance from a superclass.

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Keyword Usage

implements Indicates that a class implements an interface.

new Creates new objects.

this Refers to the current object.

super Refers to the superclass of the current object.

abstract Declares a class or method that must be implemented in a subclass.

final Prevents inheritance, overriding, or modification.

static Declares class-level variables or methods.

sealed Restricts which classes can extend a given class.

permits Specifies the subclasses allowed to extend a sealed class.

5. Access Control Keywords

Define the visibility or accessibility of classes, methods, and variables.

Keyword Usage

public Accessible from anywhere in the program.

protected Accessible within the same package or by subclasses.

private Accessible only within the same class.

6. Package and Import Keywords

Used to organize classes and access external code.

Keyword Usage

package Defines a namespace for classes.

import Allows access to classes from other packages.

7. Multithreading and Synchronization Keywords

Used to handle concurrent execution of code and ensure thread safety.

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Keyword Usage

synchronized Defines critical sections that only one thread can access at a time.

volatile Indicates that a variable may change asynchronously.

8. Memory Management and Object Serialization Keywords

Handle object persistence, garbage collection, and native method calls.

Keyword Usage

transient Excludes a variable from serialization.

native
Specifies that a method is implemented in native (non-Java) code.

9. Modifier and Utility Keywords

Define additional behaviors and precision control.

Keyword Usage

strictfp Ensures consistent floating-point calculations across platforms.

10. Reserved (Unused) Keywords

These keywords are reserved but not currently used by Java.

Keyword Usage

const Reserved for future use; not currently implemented.

goto Reserved for future use; not currently implemented.

11. Special Literals

Keyword Usage

true Represents the boolean value true.

false Represents the boolean value false.

null Represents the absence of any reference value.

Suggested Quiz 5 Questions

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3/21/26, 11:46 AM Java Keyw ords - GeeksforGeeks

Which of the following is NOT a Java keyword?

A volatile

B goto

C const

D true

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Article Tags: Misc Java Java-keyword

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