How to Find the Total Sum of a Nested List Using Recursion in Python

Submitted by razormist on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 - 23:40.

In this tutorial, we will learn how to program "How to Find the Total Sum of a Nested List Using Recursion in Python." The objective is to find the total sum of a nested list using recursion. This tutorial will guide you step by step through the process of using recursion to calculate the total sum of a nested list. 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 and easy 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 a nested list 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_nested_list(lst):
    total = 0
    for element in lst:
        if isinstance(element, list):
            total += sum_nested_list(element)
        else:
            total += element
    return total
 
 
import ast  # for safe list parsing
 
while True:
    print("\n============= Find the Total Sum of a Nested List Using Recursion =============\n")
 
    try:
        user_input = input("Enter a nested list (example: [1, [2, 3], [4, [5]]]): ")
        nested_list = ast.literal_eval(user_input)
 
        print("Sum is:", sum_nested_list(nested_list))
 
    except Exception:
        print("Invalid input. Please enter a valid nested list.")
 
    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 total sum of a nested list using recursion**. A nested list is a list that can contain other lists as elements. The recursive function `sum_nested_list` iterates through each element: if the element is itself a list, it recursively computes the sum of that sublist; otherwise, it adds the element directly to the total sum. The program safely accepts user input as a nested list using Python’s `ast.literal_eval` to avoid unsafe evaluation. After computing the sum, it displays the result. Users can repeat the process multiple times or exit the program gracefully.

Output:

There you have it we successfully created How to Find the Total Sum of a Nested List 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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