---
title: Python Abs Function
---
`abs()` is a built-in function in Python 3, to compute the absolute value of any number. The absolute value of a number "means only how far a number is from 0" 1 It takes one argument `x`. The argument can even be a complex number, and in that case its modulus is returned.
## Argument
It takes one argument `x` - an integer, or decimal, or a complex number.
## Return Value
The return value would be a positive number. Even if complex number is passed, it would return its magnitude, computed as per complex number algebra.
## Code Sample
```python
print(abs(3.4)) # prints 3.4
print(abs(-6)) # prints 6
print(abs(3 + 4j)) # prints 5.0, because |3 + 4j| = 5
```
🚀 Run Code
Official Docs
### Sources
1. Math Is Fun. Accessed: October 25, 2017