TypeError: argument of type 'float' is not iterable (Python)

TypeError: argument of type 'float' is not iterable (Python) #

The Python "TypeError: argument of type 'float' is not iterable" occurs when we use the membership test operators (in and not in) with a float value. To solve the error, correct the assignment or convert the float to a string, e.g. str(my_float).

Here is an example of how the error occurs.

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my_list = 3.5

# ⛔️ TypeError: argument of type 'float' is not iterable
print('a' in my_list)

We tried to use a membership test operator with a float value and got the error.

Chances are you meant to use the operator with an iterable, e.g. a string or a list.

One way to solve the error is to convert the float to a string.

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my_str = 3.5

print('a' in str(my_str))  # 👉️ False

print('3' in str(my_str))  # 👉️ True

Strings are iterable, so converting the floating-point number to a string solves the issue.

For example, you can reassign the variable if it stores a value of an unexpected type.

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my_list = 3.5

if not isinstance(my_list, list):
    my_list = []

print('a' in my_list)  # 👉️ False

We check if the my_list variable doesn't store a list, and if it doesn't, we set it to an empty list before using the in operator.

You can use this approach with any other object, e.g. str, dict, tuple, etc.

Alternatively, you can check if the value is not a float before using the in or not in operators.

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my_str = 3.5

if not isinstance(my_str, float):
    print('a' in my_str)
else:
    # 👇️ this runs
    print('value is a float')

We check if the value is not an instance of the float class, and if it isn't, we use the in operator to test for membership.

However, it's safer to check if the value is of the expected type, e.g. a str, a list, or a dict.

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my_str = 3.5

if isinstance(my_str, str):
    print('a' in my_str)
else:
    # 👉️ this runs
    print('value is not a string')

Our if statement checks if the value is an instance of the str class and if it is, we use the in operator.

The in operator tests for membership. For example, x in s evaluates to True if x is a member of s, otherwise it evaluates to False.

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my_str = 'hello world'

print('world' in my_str)  # 👉️ True

print('another' in my_str)  # 👉️ False

x not in s returns the negation of x in s.

All built-in sequences and set types support the in and not in operators.

When used with a dictionary, the operators check for the existence of the specified key in the dict object.

Conclusion #

The Python "TypeError: argument of type 'float' is not iterable" occurs when we use the membership test operators (in and not in) with a float value. To solve the error, correct the assignment or convert the float to a string, e.g. str(my_float).