Java With Us

What Is a Method in Java?

Updated on 2026-04-21 Reviewed by the Java With Us editorial team

A method is a named, reusable block of code inside a class. It performs a task, optionally accepts input parameters, and optionally returns a value. Methods are how Java objects expose their behaviour.

Anatomy of a method

public int add(int a, int b) {
    return a + b;
}
  • public — access modifier (who can call it)
  • int — return type (what it gives back; use void if nothing is returned)
  • add — method name
  • (int a, int b) — parameter list
  • Body between { }

Instance methods

Instance methods operate on a specific object's state:

public class BankAccount {
    private double balance;

    public void deposit(double amount) {
        balance += amount;
    }

    public double getBalance() {
        return balance;
    }
}

BankAccount acct = new BankAccount();
acct.deposit(100.0);
System.out.println(acct.getBalance()); // 100.0

Static methods

Static methods belong to the class, not an instance. You call them without creating an object:

public class MathUtils {
    public static double circleArea(double radius) {
        return Math.PI * radius * radius;
    }
}

double area = MathUtils.circleArea(5.0);

Void methods

Methods that perform an action but return nothing use void:

public void printReceipt(String item, double price) {
    System.out.printf("%-20s $%.2f%n", item, price);
}

Method overloading

Multiple methods can share the same name if their parameter lists differ (different types or count):

public int max(int a, int b)       { return a > b ? a : b; }
public double max(double a, double b) { return a > b ? a : b; }
public int max(int a, int b, int c) { return max(max(a, b), c); }

max(3, 5);        // calls int version
max(3.0, 5.0);    // calls double version
max(1, 2, 3);     // calls 3-arg version

Method naming conventions

  • Use camelCase: calculateTax, getUserById, isValid.
  • Start with a verb for non-getter/setter methods: process, send, calculate.
  • Getter methods start with get (or is for booleans): getName(), isEnabled().

Return type and returning values

public String greet(String name) {
    if (name == null || name.isBlank()) {
        return "Hello, stranger!";  // early return
    }
    return "Hello, " + name + "!";
}

return exits the method immediately and gives back a value. A void method can use a bare return; to exit early.

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