C++ break statement

The break statement in C++ is used to immediately terminate a loop or a switch statement. After the break statement executes, control moves to the first statement following the loop or switch.

Syntax

break;

Example 1: break in a for Loop

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    for (int i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
        if (i == 6) {
            break;
        }
        cout << i << " ";
    }
    return 0;
}

Output:

1 2 3 4 5

Explanation: The loop stops when i becomes
6, so numbers after 5 are not printed.

Example 2: break in a while Loop

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int i = 1;

    while (i <= 10) {
        if (i == 4) {
            break;
        }
        cout << i << " ";
        i++;
    }

    return 0;
}

Output:

1 2 3

Example 3: break in a switch Statement

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int choice = 2;

    switch (choice) {
        case 1:
            cout << "One";
            break;
        case 2:
            cout << "Two";
            break;
        case 3:
            cout << "Three";
            break;
        default:
            cout << "Invalid choice";
    }

    return 0;
}

Output:

Two

Explanation: The break statement prevents
execution from continuing into the next case (known as
fall-through).

Key Points

• Exits the nearest enclosing loop or switch statement.
• Used to stop a loop early when a condition is met.
• In nested loops, break exits only the innermost loop.

Nested Loop Example

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    for (int i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
        for (int j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
            if (j == 2)
                break;
            cout << "(" << i << "," << j << ") ";
        }
    }
    return 0;
}

Output:

(1,1) (2,1) (3,1)

Here, the break statement exits only the inner
for loop, while the outer loop continues executing.