Python Indentation Error Unexpected Indent Fix Beginner Guide

Python indentation error unexpected indent is one of the most common issues beginners face when starting with Python. This error occurs when Python's interpreter encounters unexpected whitespace that doesn't follow the proper indentation rules.

What Causes the "Unexpected Indent" Error? #

The "unexpected indent" error happens when:

1. Mixed tabs and spaces - Using both tabs and spaces for indentation
2. Random indentation - Adding spaces where they shouldn't be
3. Inconsistent indentation - Not maintaining the same indentation level
4. Copy-paste issues - Copying code with different indentation styles

Common "Unexpected Indent" Scenarios #

Scenario 1: Mixed Tabs and Spaces #

# This code will cause an "unexpected indent" error
def greet():
    print("Hello!")  # 4 spaces
    print("World!")  # 1 tab (appears aligned but different)

Error message:

IndentationError: unindent does not match any outer indentation level

Fix:

# Use consistent spacing (4 spaces recommended)
def greet():
    print("Hello!")  # 4 spaces
    print("World!")  # 4 spaces

Scenario 2: Random Indentation #

# This will cause an "unexpected indent" error
print("Starting program")
    print("This line is incorrectly indented")  # Unexpected indent

Error message:

IndentationError: unexpected indent

Fix:

# Remove unnecessary indentation
print("Starting program")
print("This line is correctly aligned")

Scenario 3: Incorrect Function Indentation #

# This code has inconsistent indentation
def calculate_sum(a, b):
result = a + b  # Missing indentation
    return result  # Incorrect indentation level

Fix:

# Proper indentation for function
def calculate_sum(a, b):
    result = a + b  # 4 spaces
    return result   # 4 spaces

How to Fix "Unexpected Indent" Errors #

Step 1: Check Your Code Editor Settings #

Configure your editor to show whitespace characters:

• VS Code: View → Render Whitespace
• PyCharm: Settings → Editor → General → Appearance → Show whitespaces
• Sublime Text: View → Show Console → view.settings().set("draw_white_space", "all")

Step 2: Use Consistent Indentation #

Best Practice: Use 4 spaces for each indentation level (PEP 8 standard)

Step 3: Fix Mixed Tabs and Spaces #

Quick fix in most editors:

1. Select all code (Ctrl+A / Cmd+A)
2. Replace tabs with spaces
3. Set tab size to 4 spaces

Python command to check for mixed indentation:

# Run this to check your file
python -m tabnanny your_file.py

Step 4: Common Copy-Paste Fixes #

When copying code from online sources:

# Original code might have inconsistent spacing
def example():
        print("Line 1")  # 8 spaces
    print("Line 2")      # 4 spaces - causes error

Fix by re-indenting:

# Properly indented version
def example():
    print("Line 1")  # 4 spaces
    print("Line 2")  # 4 spaces

Prevention Tips for Beginners #

1. Configure Your Editor #

• Set tab size to 4 spaces
• Enable "Insert spaces for tabs"
• Show indentation guides
• Enable whitespace visibility

2. Follow PEP 8 Guidelines #

• Use 4 spaces per indentation level
• Never mix tabs and spaces
• Be consistent throughout your codebase

3. Use Python's Built-in Tools #

Quick Debugging Steps #

When you encounter an "unexpected indent" error:

1. Locate the line number from the error message
2. Check the line above and below for indentation inconsistencies
3. Make all indentation visible in your editor
4. Use Find & Replace to convert tabs to spaces
5. Re-indent the problematic section manually

Summary #

Python indentation error unexpected indent fix for beginners involves:

• Understanding that Python uses indentation to define code blocks
• Using consistent spacing (4 spaces recommended)
• Never mixing tabs and spaces
• Configuring your code editor properly
• Using Python tools to detect indentation issues

Remember: Python's strict indentation rules help create readable code, but they require careful attention to spacing consistency.

Related Topics #

• Python Indentation Error Tabs vs Spaces Fix
• Python Syntax Error Expected Indented Block Solution
• Complete Guide to Python Indentation Debugging