Capitalize Words¶

Zero-dependency Python snippets for capitalizing words in strings using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple¶

Capitalize first letter of each word¶

string capitalize title words text

Capitalize first letter of each word using title()

text = "hello world python"
capitalized = text.title()
print(capitalized)

Notes

Uses str.title() method
Capitalizes first letter of each word
Handles multiple spaces correctly
Converts rest of letters to lowercase

Capitalize first letter only¶

string capitalize first text

Capitalize only the first letter of the string

text = "hello world python"
capitalized = text.capitalize()
print(capitalized)

Notes

Uses str.capitalize() method
Capitalizes only first letter
Converts rest to lowercase
Useful for sentence formatting

Complex¶

Capitalize words with custom exceptions¶

string capitalize words exceptions custom text

Capitalize words with custom exception list

def capitalize_words_custom(text, exceptions=None):
    """Capitalize words except for specified exceptions."""
    if exceptions is None:
        exceptions = {
            "a",
            "an",
            "the",
            "and",
            "or",
            "but",
            "in",
            "on",
            "at",
            "to",
            "for",
            "of",
            "with",
            "by",
        }

    words = text.lower().split()
    result = []

    for i, word in enumerate(words):
        if i == 0 or word not in exceptions:
            result.append(word.capitalize())
        else:
            result.append(word)

    return " ".join(result)


text = "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"
result = capitalize_words_custom(text)
print(result)  # "The Quick Brown Fox Jumps over the Lazy Dog"

Notes

Skips common articles and prepositions
Always capitalizes first word
Customizable exception list
Useful for title formatting

Capitalize words with special handling¶

string capitalize words contractions hyphens regex text

Capitalize words with special handling for contractions and hyphens

import re


def capitalize_words_advanced(text):
    """Capitalize words with special handling for contractions and hyphens."""
    # Handle contractions (don't, can't, etc.)
    text = re.sub(
        r"\b(\w+)\'(\w+)\b", lambda m: m.group(1).capitalize() + "'" + m.group(2).lower(), text
    )

    # Handle hyphenated words
    text = re.sub(
        r"\b(\w+)-(\w+)\b", lambda m: m.group(1).capitalize() + "-" + m.group(2).capitalize(), text
    )

    # Handle regular words
    words = text.split()
    result = []

    for word in words:
        if not re.match(r".*[\'-].*", word):  # Not a contraction or hyphenated
            result.append(word.capitalize())
        else:
            result.append(word)

    return " ".join(result)


text = "don't forget the e-mail and co-worker"
result = capitalize_words_advanced(text)
print(result)  # "Don't Forget the E-Mail and Co-Worker"

Notes

Handles contractions properly
Capitalizes both parts of hyphenated words
Uses regex for pattern matching
Preserves special characters

🔗 Cross-References¶

Reference: See 📂 Title Case
Reference: See 📂 Format String

🏷️ Tags¶

string, capitalize, words, title, case, text

📝 Notes¶

Use str.title() or str.capitalize() for word capitalization
Handles punctuation and whitespace
Useful for formatting names and titles