How to Break Nested Loops in Java

1. Break the Inner Loop Using a break Statement in Java
2. Break a nested Loop Using a break Statement With a Label in Java
3. Break a Nested Loop Using a break Statement in Java
4. Break a nested Loop Using a flag Variable in Java
5. Break a nested Loop Using a return Statement in Java

This tutorial introduces ways on how to break out nested loops in Java. We included some example programs you can follow as your guide.

A loop is a technique that allows us to repeat any code statement at any number of times depending on the given condition. Java supports several types of loops like the while loop, do-while loop, for loop, and for-each loop. We can nest these loops as well.

In this article, you’ll learn how to break out a nested loop in Java. There are several ways to break a nested loop; these include using break and return statements. Read on to find out more!

Break the Inner Loop Using a break Statement in Java

If you want to break out a loop, then you can use the break statement. This statement would break the inner loop only if you applied it in the inner loop. Here’s how you can do it:

public class SimpleTesting {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
      for (int j = 0; j < 5; j++) {
        System.out.println(j);
        if (i == 2) {
          System.out.println("loop break");
          break;
        }
      }
      System.out.println();
    }
  }
}

Output:

0
1
2
3
4

0
1
2
3
4

0
loop break

0
1
2
3
4

0
1
2
3
4

Break a nested Loop Using a break Statement With a Label in Java

If you want to break all the loops, both inner and outer, you can use a label with a break statement that will cut out all the loops and move control to the outside loop. See the example below:

public class SimpleTesting {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
  out:
    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
      for (int j = 0; j < 5; j++) {
        System.out.println(j);
        if (i == 2) {
          System.out.println("loop break");
          break out;
        }
      }
      System.out.println();
    }
  }
}

Output:

0
1
2
3
4

0
1
2
3
4

0
loop break

Break a Nested Loop Using a break Statement in Java

A loop can of the while, for, or for-each types, and we can use a break statement in any of these loops. In this example, we are using a while loop and breaking its flow by using a break statement. See the example below:

public class SimpleTesting {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    int i = 0;
  out:
    while (i < 5) {
      int j = 0;
      while (j < 5) {
        System.out.println(j);
        if (i == 2) {
          System.out.println("loop break");
          break out;
        }
        j++;
      }
      System.out.println();
      i++;
    }
  }
}

Output:

0
1
2
3
4

0
1
2
3
4

0
loop break

Break a nested Loop Using a flag Variable in Java

This method introduces another scenario where we are using a variable in the loop condition; when the condition has been met, the loop breaks out. This code is good if you don’t want to use a break statement. This process is also better because it makes the code more readable. Follow the code block below:

public class SimpleTesting {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    boolean flag = false;
    for (int i = 0; i < 5 && !flag; i++) {
      System.out.println(i);
      if (i == 3) {
        System.out.println("loop break");
        flag = true;
      }
    }
  }
}

Output:

0
1
2
3
loop break

Break a nested Loop Using a return Statement in Java

The return statement in Java is used to convey a response back to the caller method. We can use a return statement in the loop to break it. It is an alternate of a break statement but it can only work in certain scenarios only. See the example below:

public class SimpleTesting {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    boolean isStop = iterate();
    if (isStop)
      System.out.println("Loop stop");
    else
      System.out.println("Loop not stop");
  }
  static boolean iterate() {
    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
      for (int j = 0; j < 5; j++) {
        System.out.println(j);
        if (i == 2) {
          return true;
        }
      }
      System.out.println();
    }
    return false;
  }
}

Output:

0
1
2
3
4

0
1
2
3
4

0
Loop stop