Python any()
Function
The any() function in Python is used to check if at least one element in an iterable (like a list, tuple, or set) is True
. If it finds even one True
value, it immediately returns True
.
Syntax
any(iterable)
Parameters:
iterable
– A list, tuple, set, string, dictionary, or any iterable containing values.
Returns:
True
– if at least one element is true (non-zero or non-empty)False
– if all elements are false (zero, empty, or None)
Example 1: List with One True Value
values = [0, False, 5, None]
print(any(values))
True
Example 2: All False Values
values = [0, "", False, None]
print(any(values))
False
Example 3: Using any()
with Strings
words = ["", "", "hello"]
print(any(words))
True
Because "hello"
is non-empty, it's considered True
.
Use Case: Check if Any Input Field is Filled
name = ""
email = "example@example.com"
phone = ""
if any([name, email, phone]):
print("At least one field is filled.")
else:
print("All fields are empty.")
At least one field is filled.
How any()
Works Internally
- It checks each item from left to right.
- Stops as soon as it finds the first
True
value (short-circuiting). - Returns
False
if noTrue
values are found.
Common Mistakes
- Passing non-iterable like
any(5)
→ ❌ RaisesTypeError
- Expecting it to check if values are equal or valid — it only checks truthiness
Interview Tip
any()
is often used to simplify conditional checks across multiple values. It helps avoid writing long or
chains like if a or b or c
.
Summary
any()
returnsTrue
if at least one value is truthy.- Works on lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries, strings, etc.
- Stops early when it finds the first
True
.
Practice Problem
Write a program that checks if any number in a list is greater than 10:
numbers = [2, 5, 8, 12, 4]
result = any(n > 10 for n in numbers)
print("Any number > 10?", result)
Any number > 10? True