flatMap

Lesson in the Scala Roadmap · Stage 9: Working with Strings

Last updated 14 September 2026

What is flatMap?

The flatMap method is used to apply a function to each element of a collection and then flatten the results into a new collection. It is essentially a combination of the map method followed by the flatten method, but this seemingly very simple property makes it fundamental for Functional Programming.

Study this in the interactive course See the whole Scala roadmap

Free resources to learn flatMap

ArticleA collection of Scala 'flatMap' examples
ArticleScala Tutorial - FlatMap Function
ArticleDifference Between map() and flatMap() in Scala

flatMap: common questions

Can I learn flatMap in Hindi?

This lesson is written in English. Once you sign in, open it in the interactive course and ask the AI tutor to explain flatMap in Hindi or Hinglish. The tutor answers from this lesson’s own text, so it stays on the syllabus, and it runs on your own Google, OpenAI or Anthropic key.

Is this flatMap tutorial for beginners?

It is lesson 49 of 165 in the free Scala roadmap, in stage 9, Working with Strings. If you are new to Scala, start from stage 1 and come back here in order; if you already know the earlier stages, this lesson stands on its own.