How to Calculate Sum of List Elements Using Recursion in Python

Submitted by razormist on Monday, September 29, 2025 - 22:48.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to program "How to Calculate Sum of List Elements Using Recursion in Python." The objective is to calculate the sum of list elements using recursion. This tutorial will guide you step by step through the process of using recursion to get the sum of all elements. By the end of this tutorial, you will have a solid understanding of how to implement this task effectively in Python, helping you strengthen your problem-solving abilities and improve your coding skills.

This topic is straightforward to understand. Simply follow the instructions provided, and you will complete it with ease. The program will guide you step by step through the process of getting the sum of list elements using recursion. So, let’s dive into the coding process!

Getting Started:

First you will have to download & install the Python IDLE's, here's the link for the Integrated Development And Learning Environment for Python https://www.python.org/downloads/.

Creating Main Function

This is the main function of the application. The following code will display a simple GUI in terminal console that will display program. To do this, simply copy and paste these blocks of code into the IDLE text editor.

def sum_arr(arr, size):
    if size == 0:
        return 0
    else:
        return arr[size - 1] + sum_arr(arr, size - 1)
 
 
while True:
    print("\n================ Calculate Sum of List Elements Using Recursion ================\n")
 
    try:
        n = int(input("Enter the number of elements for list: "))
        a = []
        for i in range(n):
            element = int(input(f"Enter element {i+1}: "))
            a.append(element)
 
        print("\nThe list is:", a)
        print("Sum of items in list:", sum_arr(a, n))
 
    except ValueError:
        print("Invalid input! Please enter integers only.")
        continue
 
    opt = input("\nDo you want to try again? (yes/no): ").strip().lower()
    if opt == 'no':
        print("Exiting program...")
        break
    elif opt != 'yes':
        print("Invalid choice. Exiting program...")
        break

This program calculates the sum of elements in a list using recursion. It defines a recursive function `sum_arr()` that adds the last element of the list to the sum of the remaining elements until the base case is reached. The user is prompted to enter the number of elements and their values, after which the program displays the list and its total sum. Input validation ensures only integers are accepted, and the program continues to run until the user chooses to exit.

Output:

There you have it we successfully created How to Calculate Sum of List Elements Using Recursion in Python. I hope that this simple tutorial help you to what you are looking for. For more updates and tutorials just kindly visit this site. Enjoy Coding!

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