---
title: "3.5 Modulus Operator (%)"
description: "The modulus operator (`%`) returns the remainder after dividing one integer by another. It is commonly used to determine whether a number is even or odd, extract digits from a number, and perform cyclic operations. The modulus operator is defined…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/cpp-programming/operators-cplusplus/3-5-modulus-operator/"
updated: "2026-07-28"
category: C++ Programming / Operators
---

# 3.5 Modulus Operator (%)

The modulus operator (`%`) returns the remainder after dividing one integer by another. It is commonly used to determine whether a number is even or odd, extract digits from a number, and perform cyclic operations.

The modulus operator is defined only for integral data types such as `int`, `char`, `short`, and `long`. It cannot be applied directly to floating-point operands.

## Source Code

```
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    int dividend = 25;
    int divisor = 4;

    int remainder = dividend % divisor;

    std::cout << "Dividend : " << dividend << '\n';
    std::cout << "Divisor  : " << divisor << '\n';
    std::cout << "Remainder: " << remainder << '\n';

    return 0;
}
```

## Output

```
Dividend : 25
Divisor  : 4
Remainder: 1
```

## Explanation

- The modulus operator (`%`) computes the remainder after integer division.
- `dividend % divisor` returns the remainder obtained when `dividend` is divided by `divisor`.
- Both operands of the modulus operator must be of integral data types.
- The result is assigned to the variable `remainder`.
- The modulus operator is frequently used to determine divisibility, such as checking whether a number is even or odd.
- Using the modulus operator with a divisor of zero results in undefined behavior.
- `std::cout` displays the operands and the calculated remainder.
- `return 0;` terminates the program successfully.