# Switch

Pick one of many blocks of code by the value of a single variable with C#'s switch statement, including shared cases and a default.

Apprentice · C# · Updated November 3, 2026

## After this lesson you can

- Choose between many values of one variable with a switch statement

## Key takeaways

- A `switch` checks one value against a list of exact values and runs the code under the `case` that matches.
- In C#, every case ends with `break` (or `return`), so code never runs on into the next case.
- Stack `case` labels with nothing between them to share one block. `default` runs when no case matches.
- Use a `switch` for exact values of one variable; use `if` and `else if` for ranges or several variables.

When one variable can hold many values, and each value needs its own code, a long chain of `else if` gets hard to read. A **switch statement** says the same thing more clearly: here's the value, here's what to do for each case.

## The shape of a switch

```csharp
switch (variable)
{
    case value1:
        // runs when variable == value1
        break;
    case value2:
        // runs when variable == value2
        break;
    default:
        // runs when no case matches
        break;
}
```

- **The value** in parentheses is checked once.
- **Each `case`** names one possible value, followed by a colon and the code to run.
- **`break`** ends the case. In C#, every case must end with `break` (or `return`), so code never runs on into the next case by accident.
- **`default`** is optional, and runs when no case matches.

## An example

Based on the day of the week, suggest where to eat:

```csharp
string dayOfTheWeek = "Wednesday";

switch (dayOfTheWeek)
{
    case "Monday":
        Console.WriteLine("Soup and sandwiches at the corner deli.");
        break;
    case "Tuesday":
        Console.WriteLine("Taco Tuesday!");
        break;
    case "Wednesday":
        Console.WriteLine("Mid-week sushi.");
        break;
    case "Thursday":
        Console.WriteLine("Pasta night.");
        break;
    case "Friday":
        Console.WriteLine("Burgers to start the weekend.");
        break;
    default:
        Console.WriteLine("It's the weekend! Try somewhere new.");
        break;
}
```

```text
Mid-week sushi.
```

## Several values, one block

To run the same code for more than one value, stack the `case` labels with nothing between them:

```csharp
string dayOfTheWeek = "Sunday";

switch (dayOfTheWeek)
{
    case "Saturday":
    case "Sunday":
        Console.WriteLine("Sleep in.");
        break;
    default:
        Console.WriteLine("Set an alarm.");
        break;
}
```

```text
Sleep in.
```

## switch or if?

A `switch` compares **one** value against a list of exact values. Use `if` and `else if` when you compare ranges (`availableCash > 50`) or several different variables. Both make the same decisions; choose the one that reads more clearly.

## Check yourself

2 questions to try on the lesson page.

## So what

A `switch` lays out a many-way decision as a list you can read at a glance, and C#'s rule that every case ends with `break` keeps one case from spilling into the next.

## Key terms

- [switch Statement](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/switch-statement-c-sharp)
- [break](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/break-c-sharp)

## Cheat sheets

- [Switch](https://www.ask-codey.com/cheat-sheets/conditional-logic-in-csharp-switch-cheat-sheet)

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/lessons/conditional-logic-in-csharp-switch