---
title: What is Java Inheritance?
description: "***What is Java Inheritance?*** Inheritance is one of the fundamental concepts of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Java. It allows a new class (called a child or subclass) to inherit properties and behaviors (fields and methods) from an existing class (called…"
url: "https://vinothqaacademy.com/docs/what-is-java-inheritance/"
updated: "2025-10-05"
category: Java
tags:
  - Java
---

# What is Java Inheritance?

***What is Java Inheritance?***

Inheritance is one of the fundamental concepts of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Java. It allows a new class (called a child or subclass) to inherit properties and behaviors (fields and methods) from an existing class (called a parent or superclass).

**Syntax of Java Inheritance. **

The syntax for inheritance in Java involves creating a subclass that extends a superclass using the *extends* keyword. Here's the basic structure:

### **Syntax:**

```javascript

                class Superclass {

    // Fields (variables)

    // Methods

}

class Subclass extends Superclass {

    // Additional fields (variables)

    // Additional methods or overriding methods

}
```

***Types of Inheritance***

### **1. Single Inheritance**

**Definition:** Single inheritance is where a subclass inherits from one superclass.

***Example:***

```javascript

                // Superclass

class Animal {

    void eat() {

        System.out.println("This animal eats food.");

    }

}

// Subclass

class Dog extends Animal {

    void bark() {

        System.out.println("The dog barks.");

    }

}

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        Dog myDog = new Dog();

        myDog.eat(); // Inherited method

        myDog.bark(); // Subclass-specific method

    }

}
```

In this example, *Dog* inherits from *Animal*, and it can use the *eat()* method defined in *Anima*l as well as its own *bark()* method.

**2. Multilevel Inheritance**

**Definition:** In multilevel inheritance, a class inherits from another class, which in turn inherits from another class, forming a chain.

***Example:***

```javascript

                // Base class

class Animal {

    void eat() {

        System.out.println("This animal eats food.");

    }

}

// Intermediate class

class Mammal extends Animal {

    void breathe() {

        System.out.println("This mammal breathes air.");
    }

}

// Derived class

class Dog extends Mammal {

    void bark() {

        System.out.println("The dog barks.");

    }

}

public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        Dog myDog = new Dog();

        myDog.eat(); // Inherited from Animal

        myDog.breathe(); // Inherited from Mammal

        myDog.bark(); // Dog-specific method

    }

}
```

### **3. Hierarchical Inheritance**

**Definition:** In hierarchical inheritance, multiple subclasses inherit from a single superclass.

***Example:***

```javascript

                // Superclass

class Animal {

    void eat() {

        System.out.println("This animal eats food.");

    }

}

// Subclass 1

class Dog extends Animal {

    void bark() {

        System.out.println("The dog barks.");

    }

}

// Subclass 2

class Cat extends Animal {

    void meow() {

        System.out.println("The cat meows.");

    }

}
public class Main {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        Dog myDog = new Dog();

        Cat myCat = new Cat();

        myDog.eat(); // Inherited method

        myDog.bark(); // Dog-specific method

        myCat.eat(); // Inherited method

        myCat.meow(); // Cat-specific method

    }

}
```

In this example, both *Dog* and *Cat* inherit from *Animal*, but each has its own specific methods.