How to Clear Console in Python

Clearing the terminal in Python is simplest with either ANSI escape codes (fast, no subprocess) or by invoking the OS command (cls on Windows, clear on Unix-like systems). Some IDE consoles need extra settings, and Python 3.13’s new interactive shell also provides a built-in clear command. Pick the method that fits your terminal and environment.

Method 1 — Clear using ANSI escape codes (fast and cross-platform terminals)

ANSI control sequences move the cursor and erase the display without launching a subprocess. They work in most terminals, including modern Windows terminals, but not in IDLE.

Print ANSI sequences to move the cursor home and clear the screen.

print("\033[H\033[2J", end="")  # Home, then clear screen.

Use 3J if you also want to wipe the scrollback buffer.

print("\033[H\033[3J", end="")  # Home, clear screen, clear scrollback.

Prefer a full terminal reset when you want a clean slate.

print("\033c", end="")  # Reset terminal (clears everything).

Reference: See the ECMA-48 control functions for cursor positioning and erasing display (standards body spec).

ECMA-48

Method 2 — Call the OS clear command from Python

This mirrors what you would type in a shell: cls on Windows, clear elsewhere. It’s reliable in real terminals; some IDE consoles need a terminal emulation setting.

Create a small function that picks the right command by OS.

import os
import subprocess

def clear_console():
    cmd = "cls" if os.name == "nt" else "clear"
    # subprocess.call returns the command's exit code.
    subprocess.call(cmd, shell=True)

Call the function where you need to clear output.

clear_console()

If you prefer os.system over subprocess, use the standard library API.

import os
os.system("cls" if os.name == "nt" else "clear")

References: os.system, subprocess.call, os.name.

In PyCharm, enable terminal emulation so cls/clear actually clears the Run console.

Open Run/Debug configuration → enable “Emulate terminal in output console.” This setting makes the console behave like a real terminal so clear commands take effect.

PyCharm Run/Debug configuration

Method 3 — Use the built‑in `clear` command in Python 3.13’s interactive shell

Python 3.13’s new REPL supports a native clear command (part of the redesigned shell).

Start Python 3.13’s interactive shell.

Type clear and press Enter to wipe the screen.

Reference: PEP 762.

Method 4 — Use terminal keyboard shortcuts (manual)

Shortcuts are instant when you’re working interactively, but they don’t apply inside a running script.

Press Ctrl+L in most Unix-like terminals to clear the visible area.

Press Cmd+K in macOS Terminal to clear the screen and scrollback.

Method 5 — Push output off-screen with newlines (last resort)

This works almost everywhere, including constrained IDE consoles, but it only scrolls the old output away and leaves scrollback intact.

Print many newline characters to move previous output out of view.

print("\n" * 100)

Size the fill to the current terminal when available.

import shutil
lines = shutil.get_terminal_size(fallback=(80, 24)).lines
print("\n" * lines, end="")

Environment notes

IDEs and shells vary. The IDLE shell typically ignores both ANSI sequences and cls/clear; clearing there often requires restarting the shell. In PyCharm, enabling “Emulate terminal in output console” lets cls/clear work from your script (see the PyCharm link above).

Pick ANSI codes for speed and zero subprocess overhead, or call cls/clear for OS parity; adjust IDE settings when needed to make clearing behave like a real terminal.