How to Check if a File Exists in Python

Learn the simplest ways to check whether a file exists before reading, writing, renaming, or deleting it in Python.

Quick answer

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path("data.txt")

if file_path.exists() and file_path.is_file():
    print("File exists")
else:
    print("File does not exist")

Use exists() to check whether the path is there, and is_file() to make sure it is a file, not a folder.

What this page helps you do

Check whether a file is present before using it
Avoid errors when opening or deleting files
Understand the difference between a file path and a directory path

Best beginner option: `pathlib`

For new Python code, pathlib is usually the easiest option to read and understand.

Steps:

Import Path from pathlib
Create a Path object with the file name or full path
Use exists() to check whether the path exists
Use is_file() when you specifically need a file

Example:

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path("data.txt")

print(file_path.exists())   # True if the path exists
print(file_path.is_file())  # True if it is a file
print(file_path.is_dir())   # True if it is a folder

Check if a file exists

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path("data.txt")

if file_path.exists() and file_path.is_file():
    print("The file exists.")
else:
    print("The file does not exist.")

Expected output if the file is present:

The file exists.

If you want to learn more about file paths, see working with file paths in Python.

Alternative option: `os.path.exists()`

You can also check file existence with os.path.exists().

This version:

Works with string file paths
Is common in older Python code
Checks whether the path exists
Does not confirm that the path is a file unless you also use os.path.isfile()

Example:

import os

file_path = "data.txt"

if os.path.exists(file_path) and os.path.isfile(file_path):
    print("File exists")
else:
    print("File does not exist")

For new code, pathlib is usually clearer. If you want a function-by-function explanation, see os.path.exists() explained.

Check before opening a file

Checking first can be useful when you are reading a file that may not be there.

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path("data.txt")

if file_path.exists() and file_path.is_file():
    with file_path.open("r") as file:
        content = file.read()
        print(content)
else:
    print("The file was not found.")

This can help beginners avoid confusion.

However, in real programs, try-except is often better because a file can still fail to open even if it exists. For example, it may be deleted or moved after your check.

If you are learning how to open files, see how to read a file in Python and the Python open() function explained.

Understand file vs directory

A path can point to either:

A file
A folder

This matters because exists() returns True for both.

Example:

from pathlib import Path

path = Path("my_folder")

print(path.exists())   # True if the folder exists
print(path.is_file())  # False for a folder
print(path.is_dir())   # True for a folder

Use:

exists() to check whether the path is there
is_file() when you specifically need a file
is_dir() when you specifically need a folder

When checking first is useful

Checking first is often helpful:

Before reading a file
Before renaming or deleting a file
Before showing a custom message to the user

Example:

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path("report.txt")

if file_path.exists() and file_path.is_file():
    file_path.unlink()
    print("File deleted.")
else:
    print("File not found.")

When `try-except` may be better

Checking first is not always enough.

Problems can still happen because:

Another program can change the file after you check
The file may exist but still fail to open
You may not have permission to access it

A safer pattern is to try the operation and handle errors if they happen.

from pathlib import Path

file_path = Path("data.txt")

try:
    with file_path.open("r") as file:
        content = file.read()
        print(content)
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("The file does not exist.")
except PermissionError:
    print("You do not have permission to open this file.")

This approach is often better for real applications.

If you run into these problems, see FileNotFoundError in Python: causes and fixes and PermissionError in Python: causes and fixes.

Common mistakes

Here are some common reasons a file check does not work as expected:

Using exists() and assuming the path must be a file
Checking a relative path from the wrong working directory
Misspelling the file name or extension
Using backslashes incorrectly in Windows paths
Expecting a file to exist before it has been created

Helpful debugging commands:

from pathlib import Path
print(Path("data.txt").resolve())

This shows the full path Python is using.

import os
print(os.getcwd())

This shows the current working directory.

from pathlib import Path
print(Path("data.txt").exists())

This checks whether the path exists.

from pathlib import Path
print(Path("data.txt").is_file())

This checks whether the path is a file.

from pathlib import Path
print(list(Path(".").iterdir()))

This lists the files and folders in the current directory.

Windows path tip

If you use backslashes in a Windows path, be careful. Some backslashes are treated as escape characters.

This can cause problems:

file_path = "C:\new\data.txt"

A safer option is to use a raw string or forward slashes:

file_path = r"C:\new\data.txt"

or:

file_path = "C:/new/data.txt"

FAQ

What is the simplest way to check if a file exists in Python?

Use pathlib.Path with exists() and is_file(). It is clear and beginner-friendly.

What is the difference between `exists()` and `is_file()`?

exists() checks whether the path exists. is_file() checks whether that path is a file.

Should I use `os.path.exists()` or `pathlib`?

For new code, pathlib is usually easier to read. os.path is still common in older code.

Can a file still fail to open after `exists()` returns `True`?

Yes. The file could be deleted, moved, or blocked after the check. try-except is safer for real programs.