Python Set difference() Method

The Set difference() method finds the difference between two sets. It returns a new set that contains all the elements of the first set that are not present in the second set.

Syntax

my_set.difference(set1, set2, ...)

difference() Parameters

Python Set difference() method parameters:

difference() Return Value

Python Set difference() method returns a set with elements unique to the first set.

Examples

Example 1: Difference between Two Sets

A = {'Tom', 'Anna', 'David'}
B = {'David', 'Tom'}

result = A.difference(B)

print(result) # Output: {'Anna'}

output

{'Anna'}

Example 2: Difference between Multiple Sets

The difference() method allows to compute the difference between multiple sets:

A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7}
C = {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

result = A.difference(B, C)

print(result) # Output: {1, 2}

output

{1, 2}

Example 3: Difference between a Set and a List

You can also pass iterables like list: difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the difference.

For example:

A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

B = ['d', 'e', 'f']

result = A.difference(B)

print(result) # Output: {'i', 'a', 'o', 'u'}

output

{'i', 'a', 'o', 'u'}

Example 4: Difference between a Set and a Tuple

You can also pass iterables like tuple: difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the difference.

For example:

A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

B = ('d', 'e', 'f')

result = A.difference(B)

print(result) # Output: {'i', 'a', 'o', 'u'}

output

{'i', 'a', 'o', 'u'}

Example 5: Difference between a Set and a Dictionary

You can also pass iterables like dictionary: difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the difference.

For example:

A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

B = {1: 'd', 2: 'e', 3: 'f'}
C = {'d': 1, 'e': 2, 'f': 3}

print(A.difference(B)) # Output: {'o', 'e', 'i', 'a', 'u'}
print(A.difference(C)) # Output: {'o', 'a', 'u', 'i'}

output

{'o', 'e', 'i', 'a', 'u'}
{'o', 'a', 'u', 'i'}

Example 6: Difference between a Set and a String

You can also pass iterables like string: difference() first converts the iterables to sets and then computes the difference.

For example:

A = {'a', 'e', 'i', 'o', 'u'}

B = 'def'

print(A.difference(B)) # Output: {'i', 'a', 'o', 'u'}

output

{'i', 'a', 'o', 'u'}

Equivalent Operator – for difference()

Set difference can be performed with the - operator as well, providing an alternative to the difference() method.

A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7}

print(A.difference(B)) # Output: {1, 2}

print(A - B) # Output: {1, 2}

output

{1, 2}
{1, 2}

Of course, you can use the - operator with multiple sets:

A = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}
B = {3, 4, 5, 6, 7}
C = {6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

print(A.difference(B, C)) # Output: {1, 2}

print(A - B - C) # Output: {1, 2}

output

{1, 2}
{1, 2}