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Swap Two Numbers in Java - With and Without Temp Variable

Learn different ways to swap two numbers in Java. Using temporary variable and without using it.

Last updated: 11 January 2026

Method 1: Using Temporary Variable

The standard and easiest way.

Main.javaRun in Compiler →
public class SwapNumbers {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int first = 10, second = 20;

        System.out.println("--Before swap--");
        System.out.println("First number = " + first);
        System.out.println("Second number = " + second);

        // Value of first is assigned to temporary
        int temporary = first;

        // Value of second is assigned to first
        first = second;

        // Value of temporary (which contains the initial value of first) is assigned to second
        second = temporary;

        System.out.println("--After swap--");
        System.out.println("First number = " + first);
        System.out.println("Second number = " + second);
    }
}
Output:
--Before swap--
First number = 10
Second number = 20
--After swap--
First number = 20
Second number = 10

Explanation

A temporary variable holds the value of first number while we overwrite first with second.

Method 2: Without Temporary Variable

Using arithmetic operations.

Main.javaRun in Compiler →
public class SwapNumbers {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int first = 10, second = 20;
        
        first = first - second;
        second = first + second;
        first = second - first;
        
        System.out.println("First: " + first);
        System.out.println("Second: " + second);
    }
}
Output:
First: 20
Second: 10

Explanation

We use addition and subtraction or bitwise XOR to swap without extra memory.

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