Java return Keyword

Java return keyword is used to complete the execution of a method. The return followed by the appropriate value that is returned to the caller. This value depends on the method return type like int method always return an integer value.

Points to remember

It is used to exit from the method.
It is not allowed to use return keyword in void method.
The value passed with return keyword must match with return type of the method.

Examples of Java return Keyword

Example 1

Let's see a simple example to return integer value.

public class ReturnExample1 {

	 int display()
	{
		return 10;
	}
	public static void main(String[] args) {
	ReturnExample1 e =new ReturnExample1();
	System.out.println(e.display());
}

}

Output:

Example 2

Let's see an example to determine whether we can use return in void method.

public class ReturnExample2 {
	void display()
	{
		return null;
	}
	public static void main(String[] args) {
	ReturnExample2 e =new ReturnExample2();
	e.display();
}
	}

Output:

Void methods cannot return a value

Example 3

Let's see an example to return string.

public class ReturnExample3 {

	 String display()
	{
		return "Javatpoint";
	}
	public static void main(String[] args) {
	ReturnExample3 e =new ReturnExample3();
	System.out.println(e.display());
}

}
</pre></div>
<p><strong>Output:</strong></p>
<div class="codeblock3"><pre>
Javatpoint
</pre></div>
<h2 class="h3">Example 4</h2>
<p>Let's see an example to return list of elements.</p>
<div class="codeblock"><textarea name="code" class="java">
import java.util.*;

public class ReturnExample4 {

	 List display()
	{
		 List list=new ArrayList();
		 list.add("Java");
		 list.add("C++");
		 list.add("Python");
		return list;
	}
	public static void main(String[] args) {
	ReturnExample4 e =new ReturnExample4();
	System.out.println(e.display());
}

}

Output: