How to check if a number is float or not in Python

By Nilesh and Sapna

In this tutorial, we will learn how to check if a number is float or not in Python. We can check this in three different ways.

• type() method
• comparing with “float”
• isinstance()

A more precise number with decimal is float number. We also refer to it as a floating-point number. In python, it is very easy to check whether the number is float or not. Here are the few methods. Let’s start with type() in Python.

Check type of variable

num = 34.22
print(type(num))

Output:

<class ‘float’>

Comparison with ‘float’

num = 34.22
if(num == float):
    print('This number is float')
else:
    print('This number is not float')

Output:

This number is float

Use isinstance() method to check if a number is float or not in Python

num = 34.22
print(isinstance(num, float)

Output:

True

In the above example, isinstance() is used to check whether the first argument is an object or ‘instance’ of the second argument or not.

You may also read:

• Check whether a variable is defined or not in Python
• Scope of a variable, global and non-local keyword in Python

3 responses to “How to check if a number is float or not in Python”

1. g says:

   January 23, 2020 at 8:59 pm

   This does not work cmon

   num = 34.22
   if(num == float):
   print(‘This number is float’)
   else:
   print(‘This number is not float’)

   Reply
2. deepa says:

   May 7, 2021 at 3:16 pm

   What if we take input from user.. its returns always a string..

   Reply
3. Buck says:

   October 19, 2021 at 9:22 pm

   Try adding in the type method.

   if(type(num) == float):
   print(“a float”)
   else:
   print(“not a float”)

   The type() method either returns the type of the specified object or returns a new type object of the specified dynamic class, based on the specified class name, base classes and class body.

   Reply