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Python - Zip Different Sized List

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

In Python, zipping is a utility where we pair one list with the other. Usually, this task is successful only in the cases when the sizes of both the lists to be zipped are of the same size. But sometimes we require that different-sized lists also be zipped. Let's discuss certain ways in which this problem can be solved if it occurs.

itertools.cycle() repeats the shorter list to match the length of the longer list. This method is efficient for situations where we want the shorter list's elements to cycle through continuously.

Python


 import itertools
a= [7, 8, 4, 5, 9, 10]
b= [1, 5, 6]

# Zipping using cycle
res= list(zip(a, itertools.cycle(b)))
print(res)

Output

[(7, 1), (8, 5), (4, 6), (5, 1), (9, 5), (10, 6)]

Explanation:

itertools.cycle(b) creates an infinite loop of b, repeating its elements.
zip(a, itertools.cycle(b)) pairs elements from a with cyclic values from b, ensuring b repeats when it runs out.

itertools.zip_longest() zips lists of different lengths by padding the shorter list with a specified value. It's useful when we need to ensure both lists are fully paired, filling missing values with a default value.

Example:

Python


 import itertools
a = [7, 8, 4, 5, 9, 10]
b = [1, 5, 6]

# Zipping with zip_longest and filling with 'X'
res = list(itertools.zip_longest(a, b, fillvalue='X'))
print(res)

Output

[(7, 1), (8, 5), (4, 6), (5, 'X'), (9, 'X'), (10, 'X')]

Explanation:

itertools.zip_longest(a, b, fillvalue='X') pairs elements from a and b, filling missing values in the shorter list with 'X'.
Since b is shorter, extra elements in a are paired with 'X', ensuring all elements from a are included.

Using enumerate()

enumerate() with modulo indexing allows the shorter list to cycle through its elements as the longer list progresses. This method gives more control over how the shorter list is reused when it's exhausted.

Python


 a = [7, 8, 4, 5, 9, 10] 
b = [1, 5, 6] 

res = []

# Loop through a with index
for i, item in enumerate(a): 
  
  # Cycle b using modulo
    res.append((item, b[i % len(b)]))  
print(res)

Output

[(7, 1), (8, 5), (4, 6), (5, 1), (9, 5), (10, 6)]

Explanation:

enumerate(a) iterates over a with index i.
b[i % len(b)] cycles through b using modulo when i exceeds b's length.
Each (item, b[i % len(b)]) pair is appended to res, ensuring b repeats cyclically..

Using List Comprehension

List comprehension allows for custom logic when zipping two lists. This method provides more control, such as handling missing elements based on specific conditions.

Example:

Python


 a= [7, 8, 4, 5, 9, 10]
b= [1, 5, 6]

# Pair a and b, replace falsy b values with 'X'
res = [(x, y if y else 'X') for x, y in zip(a, b)]
print(res)

Output

[(7, 1), (8, 5), (4, 6)]

Explanation:

The zip(a, b) pairs elements from a and b together, creating tuples. Since b is shorter, only the first three elements are paired.
The list comprehension checks if y has a truthy value; if y is falsy (like 0 or None), it replaces it with 'X'.
Since all values in b are nonzero, the result remains unchanged.

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