How to List Files in a Directory in Python

If you want to list files in a folder in Python, there are two common beginner-friendly options:

os.listdir() for a simple list of names
pathlib for cleaner path handling

This page shows how to:

List everything inside a directory
Show only files, not subdirectories
Print file names or full file paths
Use beginner-friendly methods first

Quick answer

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path(".")
for item in folder.iterdir():
    if item.is_file():
        print(item.name)

This prints file names in the current directory and skips subdirectories.

What this page helps you do

List everything inside a directory
Show only files, not subdirectories
Print file names or full file paths
Use beginner-friendly methods first

Simplest way: use `os.listdir()`

The os.listdir() function returns the names of items inside a folder.

That means the result can include:

Files
Subdirectories

If you use ".", Python looks at the current working directory.

import os

for name in os.listdir("."):
    print(name)

Example output

notes.txt
photo.jpg
data
script.py

Here:

notes.txt, photo.jpg, and script.py are files
data might be a folder

So os.listdir() is useful when you want to see everything in a directory, but it does not automatically separate files from folders.

If you want to understand this function in more detail, see os.listdir() explained.

How to list only files

If you only want files, you need to check each item.

A common way is to use:

os.listdir() to get names
os.path.join() to build the full path
os.path.isfile() to test whether the item is a file

import os

folder = "."

for name in os.listdir(folder):
    full_path = os.path.join(folder, name)
    if os.path.isfile(full_path):
        print(name)

Why use `os.path.join()`?

os.listdir() gives you only the item name, such as:

"notes.txt"

But os.path.isfile() usually needs the full path to check the correct item:

"./notes.txt"

That is why this line matters:

full_path = os.path.join(folder, name)

It combines the folder and file name safely.

If you are not familiar with this, see how os.path.join() works.

Beginner-friendly modern option: `pathlib`

Many beginners find pathlib easier to read because it treats paths as objects.

You can create a Path object for a folder, loop through its contents, and check whether each item is a file.

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path(".")

for item in folder.iterdir():
    if item.is_file():
        print(item.name)

What this does

Path(".") means the current directory
folder.iterdir() loops through everything inside that directory
item.is_file() keeps only files
item.name prints just the file name

Print full paths with `pathlib`

If you want the path instead of just the name, print the Path object itself:

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path(".")

for item in folder.iterdir():
    if item.is_file():
        print(item)

You can also print the absolute path:

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path(".")

for item in folder.iterdir():
    if item.is_file():
        print(item.resolve())

item.name → file name only
item or str(item) → relative path
item.resolve() → full absolute path

For a broader introduction, see working with file paths in Python.

How to include full paths

Sometimes you need the complete file path, not just the file name.

This is common before you:

Open a file
Delete a file
Check whether a file exists
Pass the path to another function

Full paths with `os`

import os

folder = "my_folder"

for name in os.listdir(folder):
    full_path = os.path.join(folder, name)
    if os.path.isfile(full_path):
        print(full_path)

This prints paths like:

my_folder/report.txt
my_folder/data.csv

Full paths with `pathlib`

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path("my_folder")

for item in folder.iterdir():
    if item.is_file():
        print(item)

If you need the absolute path:

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path("my_folder")

for item in folder.iterdir():
    if item.is_file():
        print(item.resolve())

After listing files, you may want to check whether a file exists in Python or read a file in Python.

Common problems beginners hit

A few common mistakes can make directory listing confusing.

Using a path that does not exist

If the folder name is wrong, Python cannot list its contents.

import os

print(os.path.exists("your_folder"))

If this prints False, the path is wrong or Python is looking in a different location than you expected.

If you get an error, see how to fix FileNotFoundError: [Errno 2] No such file or directory.

Forgetting that `listdir()` includes directories too

This code prints everything:

import os

for name in os.listdir("."):
    print(name)

If you expected only files, you must filter with os.path.isfile() or item.is_file().

Using only the file name when a full path is required

This often causes problems when the file is not in the current directory.

Wrong idea:

import os

folder = "my_folder"

for name in os.listdir(folder):
    if os.path.isfile(name):
        print(name)

Better:

import os

folder = "my_folder"

for name in os.listdir(folder):
    full_path = os.path.join(folder, name)
    if os.path.isfile(full_path):
        print(full_path)

Confusing the current working directory with the script location

When you use ".", Python uses the current working directory, not always the folder where your script is saved.

This command helps you check where Python is looking:

import os
print(os.getcwd())

You can also check with pathlib:

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

Permission problems

Sometimes the folder exists, but Python is not allowed to read it. In that case, you may see a permission error.

See how to fix PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied.

FAQ

How do I list only files and not folders in Python?

Filter each item with os.path.isfile() or use pathlib and check item.is_file().

What is the easiest way to list files in a directory?

For beginners, pathlib is often the clearest option. os.listdir() is also common and simple.

Why does my code show folders too?

Functions like os.listdir() return all items in the directory, including subdirectories.

How do I get full file paths instead of names?

Use os.path.join(folder, name) with os, or print the Path object in pathlib.

Why can Python not find the folder I gave it?

You may be using a relative path and your current working directory is different from what you expected.