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Call iter(obj) to test whether Python can get an iterator from an object. If you need a Boolean result, catch TypeError. This runtime check also covers legacy objects that support iteration through __getitem__ but do not define __iter__.
Check iterability at runtime
Use iter(obj) when your code needs to know whether Python can actually obtain an iterator from a value:
def is_iterable(obj):
try:
iter(obj)
except TypeError:
return False
return TrueIf Python obtains an iterator, the function returns True; if it raises TypeError, the function returns False. The test obtains an iterator but does not consume its items.
This is the recommended runtime test in the Python 3.13 documentation for collections.abc.Iterable, which calls iter(obj) the only reliable way to determine whether an object is iterable.
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Use the exception narrowly
The example treats TypeError from iter(obj) as a failed check. Avoid catching every exception: a custom object’s iteration method can raise an exception for another reason, and that may indicate a genuine error rather than non-iterability.
Also note that this is not necessarily a side-effect-free inspection. Calling iter(obj) can run user-defined __iter__ code, or invoke __getitem__ for a legacy sequence-style object.
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When to use collections.abc.Iterable instead
Use the abstract base class (ABC) when you specifically want to check whether a value advertises or is registered for the iterable interface:
from collections.abc import Iterable
isinstance(obj, Iterable)This check recognizes classes that provide __iter__ and types registered with the ABC. It is not a complete test of runtime iteration: an object that supports the legacy sequence protocol through __getitem__ may be iterable even though isinstance(obj, Iterable) returns False.
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| Approach | What it checks | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
iter(obj), catching TypeError |
Whether Python can obtain an iterator at runtime, including through legacy sequence iteration | Your code needs a practical yes-or-no capability check |
isinstance(obj, Iterable) |
Whether the object is recognized as implementing or registering for the ABC interface | Your code needs interface classification and that distinction matters |
Iterable versus iterator
An iterable is an object from which Python can obtain an iterator. An iterator is itself iterable; the iterator interface adds __next__, which provides the next item. The iter(obj) check establishes that an iterator can be obtained, not that iteration will succeed indefinitely or that the object contains any items.
Asynchronous iterability is a separate check
iter(obj) checks ordinary synchronous iteration. It does not test whether an object supports asynchronous iteration through __aiter__. Treat asynchronous iterability as a separate protocol rather than using the synchronous check as evidence that async for will work.
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