---
title: 2.20 Labels
description: "A label gives a statement a name that can be used as a destination for a `goto` statement. A label is followed by a colon and can appear before any statement within a function. ``` #include int main() { int…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/c-programming/control-flow/2-20-labels/"
updated: "2026-09-06"
category: C Programming / Control Flow
---

# 2.20 Labels

A label gives a statement a name that can be used as a destination for a `goto` statement. A label is followed by a colon and can appear before any statement within a function.

```
#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int number = 1;

start:
    printf("%d\n", number);

    number++;

    if (number <= 3)
    {
        goto start;
    }

    return 0;
}
```

### Example Output

```
1
2
3
```

### Explanation

The label `start` identifies the statement immediately following it:

```
start:
    printf("%d\n", number);
```

The `goto` statement transfers execution back to this label:

```
goto start;
```

Each time control reaches `start`, the current value of `number` is printed and then incremented.

The `if` condition determines whether execution jumps back to the label. When `number` becomes `4`, the condition is false and execution continues to `return 0`.

A label has **function scope** and can be used only as a destination for a `goto` within the same function.