← Errors
A ZeroDivisionError is raised in Python when you attempt to divide a number by zero. Division by zero is mathematically undefined, so Python raises this error rather than returning a result.
Why it happens
- •The denominator variable is zero, often due to empty data (e.g. dividing by a count when no items exist).
- •User input that evaluates to zero is passed directly to a division operation.
- •An intermediate calculation produces zero unexpectedly.
- •Using the modulo operator (%) with a zero divisor.
Examples
Python
Code that triggers the error
total = 100
count = 0
average = total / count
print(average)Error output
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "app.py", line 3, in <module>
average = total / count
ZeroDivisionError: division by zeroHow to fix it
Always check that the divisor is not zero before dividing. Use a guard (if divisor != 0) or wrap the division in a try/except ZeroDivisionError block. In data processing, decide what the correct fallback value should be (0, None, or a custom sentinel).
Fixed code
total = 100
count = 0
if count != 0:
average = total / count
else:
average = 0 # or None, or raise a custom error
print(average) # 0Related errors
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