Python os.path.isfile() method
Last Updated :
11 Jul, 2025
The os.path.isfile() method in Python is used to check if a path refers to a regular file (not a directory or any other type of file system object). This method can be particularly useful when you need to validate file paths before performing file operations like reading, writing, or modifying files. It returns a boolean value:
- True: If the path refers to a file that exists.
- False: If the path does not exist or is not a regular file.
Example: Use of os.path.isfile() method
This code demonstrates the use of the os.path.isfile() method in Python to check whether a given path is a file or not.
Python
import os
path = '/home/User/Desktop/file.txt'
isFile = os.path.isfile(path)
print(isFile)
path = '/home/User/Desktop/'
isFile = os.path.isfile(path)
print(isFile)
Explanation:
- If the file file.txt exists at the specified location, the first print statement will output True.
- The second print statement will output False because /home/User/Desktop/ is a directory, not a file.
Syntax:
os.path.isfile(path)
Parameters:
- path: This is the path of the file you want to check. The path can be a relative or absolute path to the file.
Return Value:
The method returns:
- True if the path exists and is a regular file.
- False if the path does not exist or if it points to a directory or non-file object.
Example of os.path.isfile() method
1. Checking if a File Exists:
Python
import os
# Example file path
path = "example.txt"
# Check if the file exists
if os.path.isfile(path):
print(f"{path} exists and is a regular file.")
else:
print(f"{path} does not exist or is not a file.")
Outputexample.txt does not exist or is not a file.
Explanation: The code checks if "example.txt" is a valid file. It prints whether the file exists and is a regular file or not.
2. Checking for a Directory:
Python
import os
# Example directory path
path = "/home/user/documents"
# Check if it's a file or not
if os.path.isfile(path):
print(f"{path} is a file.")
else:
print(f"{path} is not a file.")
Output/home/user/documents is not a file.
Explanation: The code checks if "/home/user/documents" is a valid file. It prints whether the path is a file or not.
