How can I determine a Python variable's type?

8 Asked by mygrea_6494 in Python , Asked on May 7, 2025

How do you find out what type a variable is in Python? What built-in function can help you inspect data types during debugging or development? Learn the simplest way to check a variable’s type in Python.

Answered by kalylcie

To determine a Python variable’s type, you can use the built-in type() function. It’s a simple and quick way to inspect what kind of data your variable holds — whether it’s an integer, string, list, or even a custom object. This is especially helpful when debugging or working with dynamic inputs.

Here’s how it works:

x = 10

print(type(x))  # Output: 

name = "Alice"

print(type(name))  # Output:

Key points:

Use type(variable) to return the variable’s data type.
It works with all types: strings, integers, floats, lists, dictionaries, etc.
It can also identify custom class instances.

If you're checking a variable and want to branch logic based on its type, you can combine type() with conditionals:

if type(x) == int:

    print("x is an integer")

However, using isinstance() is a more Pythonic approach for such cases:

if isinstance(x, int):

    print("x is an integer")

Why it matters:

Knowing a variable’s type helps you avoid type errors and makes your code more robust. It’s especially useful when working with user input or external data like JSON where types aren’t always predictable.

How can I determine a Python variable's type?

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