---
title: 2.5 switch Statement
description: "The `switch` statement selects one block of code based on the value of an expression. Each possible value is associated with a `case` label. ``` #include int main() { int day = 3; switch (day) { case 1: printf(\"Monday\\n\"); break;…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/c-programming/control-flow/2-5-switch-statement/"
updated: "2026-09-06"
category: C Programming / Control Flow
---

# 2.5 switch Statement

The `switch` statement selects one block of code based on the value of an expression. Each possible value is associated with a `case` label.

```
#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int day = 3;

    switch (day)
    {
        case 1:
            printf("Monday\n");
            break;

        case 2:
            printf("Tuesday\n");
            break;

        case 3:
            printf("Wednesday\n");
            break;

        case 4:
            printf("Thursday\n");
            break;

        default:
            printf("Invalid day\n");
    }

    return 0;
}
```

### Example Output

```
Wednesday
```

### Explanation

The expression inside `switch` is evaluated:

```
switch (day)
```

Here, `day` has the value `3`, so execution starts at:

```
case 3:
```

The corresponding statement executes:

```
printf("Wednesday\n");
```

The `break` statement then exits the `switch` statement.

If none of the `case` labels matches the value of `day`, the `default` block executes.

The `switch` expression is evaluated once, and control is transferred to the matching `case` label.