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Arithmetic Operators in Java

Beginner ⏱ 6 min read Updated: Jun 2026

Arithmetic operators in Java are used to perform basic mathematical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and finding the remainder. These operators work with numeric data types like int, float, double, and long.

In this tutorial, you will learn about different types of arithmetic operators in Java with syntax, examples, and practical explanations.

What are Arithmetic Operators in Java?

Arithmetic operators are special symbols used to perform mathematical calculations between two or more values. Java provides several arithmetic operators that help developers perform numerical operations easily.

For example, the + operator is used to add two numbers, while the - operator is used to subtract one number from another.

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Key Point: Arithmetic operators always return a numeric result based on the data type of the operands.

Types of Arithmetic Operators in Java

Java provides the following arithmetic operators:

  • Addition Operator (+)
  • Subtraction Operator (-)
  • Multiplication Operator (*)
  • Division Operator (/)
  • Modulus Operator (%)
  • Increment Operator (++)
  • Decrement Operator (--)

Java Arithmetic Operators Table

Operator Name Description
+ Addition Adds two values
- Subtraction Subtracts one value from another
* Multiplication Multiplies two values
/ Division Divides one value by another
% Modulus Returns the remainder after division

Basic Example of Arithmetic Operators in Java

Example
public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a =20;
        int b =10;
        int sum = a + b; 
        int difference = a - b; 
        int multiply = a * b; 
        int divide = a / b; 
        int remainder = a % b; 
        System.out.println(sum);
        System.out.println(difference);
        System.out.println(multiply);
        System.out.println(divide);
        System.out.println(remainder);
    }
}
Output
20
10
200
2
0

Addition Operator (+) in Java

The addition operator (+) is used to add two or more numeric values. It combines the values and returns their total result.

Example
int number1 =  15;
int number2 = 25;
int result = number1 + number2;
System.out.println(result);
Output
40

Subtraction Operator (-) in Java

The subtraction operator (-) is used to subtract one value from another value.

Example
int total =  50;
int used =  20;
int remaining = total - used; 
System.out.println(remaining);
Output
30

Multiplication Operator (*) in Java

The multiplication operator (*) is used to multiply two or more numeric values.

Example
int price = 100;
int quantity =  5;
int total = price * quantity; 
System.out.println(total);
Output
500

Division Operator (/) in Java

The division operator (/) is used to divide one number by another number and returns the quotient.

Example
int number1 =  100;
int number2 =  10;
int result = number1 / number2; 
System.out.println(result);
Output
10

Modulus Operator (%) in Java

The modulus operator (%) returns the remainder after dividing one number by another number.

Example
int number1 =  17;
int number2 =  5;
int result = number1 % number2; 
System.out.println(result);
Output
2

Increment and Decrement Operators in Java

Java also provides increment (++) and decrement (--) operators to increase or decrease the value of a variable by 1.

Example
int value =  10 value++;
System.out.println(value);
value--;
System.out.println(value);
Output
11
10

Rules for Using Arithmetic Operators in Java

While using arithmetic operators in Java, some important rules should be followed to avoid unexpected results.

Numeric Values

Arithmetic operators can be used with numeric data types such as int, float, double, and long.

Division by Zero

Division by zero is not allowed and may cause an ArithmeticException when using integer values.

Data Type

The result of an arithmetic operation depends on the data type of operands.

Operator Priority

Java follows operator precedence rules while evaluating arithmetic expressions.

Arithmetic Operators Precedence in Java

When multiple arithmetic operators are used in a single expression, Java follows a specific order called operator precedence.

  • Parentheses ( ) have the highest priority.
  • Multiplication (*), Division (/), and Modulus (%) are evaluated next.
  • Addition (+) and Subtraction (-) are evaluated at the end.

Example of Arithmetic Operator Precedence

Example
int result =  10 +  5 * 2;
System.out.println(result);
Output
20

Advantages of Arithmetic Operators in Java

Easy Calculations

Arithmetic operators make mathematical calculations simple and readable.

Fast Processing

These operators perform calculations quickly and efficiently.

Used Everywhere

Arithmetic operations are commonly used in applications like banking, games, and data processing systems.

Beginner Friendly

Arithmetic operators are simple and help beginners understand Java logic.

Common Mistakes While Using Arithmetic Operators

  • Performing division by zero.
  • Using incorrect data types for calculations.
  • Forgetting operator precedence rules.
  • Mixing integer and decimal calculations without understanding the result.

Summary

Arithmetic operators in Java are used to perform mathematical operations on numeric values. Java provides operators like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, modulus, increment, and decrement.

Understanding arithmetic operators is important because they are widely used in Java programs for calculations and logical operations.