How to get the class name of an instance in Python?

In Python object-oriented programming, getting the class name of an instance is a common requirement. Python provides several approaches to retrieve the class name from any object or instance.

Using __class__.__name__

The most straightforward method uses the __class__ attribute combined with __name__ to get the class name ?

class Animal:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

lion = Animal("Lion")
print(lion.__class__.__name__)

Animal

The __class__ attribute returns the class object, while __name__ gives the actual class name as a string.

Example with Built-in Types

# Different data types
text = "Hello Python"
numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
data = {"key": "value"}

print(text.__class__.__name__)
print(numbers.__class__.__name__)
print(data.__class__.__name__)

str
list
dict

Using type() and __name__

The type() function returns the class of an object. Combined with __name__, it provides the class name ?

class Vehicle:
    def __init__(self, brand):
        self.brand = brand

car = Vehicle("Toyota")
print(type(car).__name__)

# Works with any object
print(type(42).__name__)
print(type(3.14).__name__)

Vehicle
int
float

Example with Imported Modules

import itertools

counter = itertools.count(1)
print(type(counter).__name__)

# Using datetime
from datetime import datetime
now = datetime.now()
print(type(now).__name__)

count
datetime

Using __qualname__ for Nested Classes

For nested classes, __qualname__ provides the fully qualified name, while __name__ only returns the simple class name ?

class Outer:
    def __init__(self):
        self.inner = self.Inner()
    
    class Inner:
        def __init__(self):
            self.value = "nested"

obj = Outer()
print(obj.inner.__class__.__name__)
print(obj.inner.__class__.__qualname__)

Inner
Outer.Inner

Comparison

Practical Example

class Shape:
    def get_info(self):
        return f"This is a {self.__class__.__name__}"

class Circle(Shape):
    def __init__(self, radius):
        self.radius = radius

class Rectangle(Shape):
    def __init__(self, width, height):
        self.width = width
        self.height = height

# Create instances
circle = Circle(5)
rectangle = Rectangle(10, 20)

print(circle.get_info())
print(rectangle.get_info())

This is a Circle
This is a Rectangle

Conclusion

Use __class__.__name__ for most cases to get class names. Use type().__name__ when working with type objects, and __qualname__ for nested classes that need fully qualified names.