Java Variables

Beginner ⏱ 6 min read Updated: Jul 2026

What is a Variable in Java?

A variable in Java is a named memory location used to store data. The value stored inside a variable can be changed during program execution.

For example, a variable can store numbers, text, characters, or true/false values.

Syntax

javac Main.java
java Main

Example

class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int age = 20;
        System.out.println(age);
    }
}

Output


                    Local Variable

A variable declared inside a method or block is called a local variable.


                    Instance Variable

A variable declared inside a class but outside methods is called an instance variable.


                    Static Variable

A variable declared with the static keyword is called a static variable.

In Java, creating a variable is called declaration. Assigning a value to a variable is called initialization.

Example

int number;
number = 50;

Every Java variable must have a data type that defines what kind of value it can store.

Example


int number = 10;
String name = "Java";
boolean status = true;

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Key Point: Java is a strongly typed language, which means every variable must have a defined data type.