Create a Numpy array filled with all zeros – Python
Last Updated :
28 Jan, 2025
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In this article, we will learn how to create a Numpy array filled with all zeros, given the shape and type of array. We can use Numpy.zeros() method to do this task.
Let’s understand with the help of an example:
import numpy as np
# Create a 1D array of zeros with 5 elements
array_1d = np.zeros(5)
print(array_1d)
Output
[0. 0. 0. 0. 0.]
Explanation:
- np.zeros(5) function creates a 1D array with 5 elements, all initialized to 0.
- By default, the data type of the array is float, so the zeros are represented as 0.0.
Table of Content
Syntax of Creating a NumPy Array filled with all zeros
numpy.zeros(shape, dtype=float, order=’C’)
Parameters
- shape: Tuple or int specifying the dimensions of the array (e.g., (rows, columns)).
- dtype (optional): Data type of the array (default is float).
- order (optional): Memory layout of the array. ‘C’ (row-major) or ‘F’ (column-major).
Creating a 2D Zero Array
import numpy as np
# Create a 2D array of zeros (3 rows, 4 columns)
array_2d = np.zeros((3, 4))
print(array_2d)
Output
[[0. 0. 0. 0.] [0. 0. 0. 0.] [0. 0. 0. 0.]]
Explnation:
- np.zeros((3, 4)) function creates a 2D array with 3 rows and 4 columns.
- The shape of the array is specified as a tuple (3, 4).
Specifying Data Type
import numpy as np
# Create an integer zero array
array_int = np.zeros((2, 3), dtype=int)
print(array_int)
Output
[[0 0 0] [0 0 0]]
Explanation:
- Here, the dtype=int argument is used to specify that the array elements should be integers.
- The resulting array is 2×3 (2 rows, 3 columns) with all elements as 0, but they are now integers instead of floats.
Using Column-Major Order
import numpy as np
# Create an array with column-major order
array_column_major = np.zeros((2, 3), order='F')
print(array_column_major)
Output
[[0. 0. 0.] [0. 0. 0.]]
Explanation:
- By default, NumPy arrays are stored in row-major order (C order). However, specifying order=’F’ changes this to column-major order (Fortran-style).
- In column-major order, elements in the same column are stored contiguously in memory.
