Python 3 reference · Built-in Functions

Python import() Function

The low-level function the import statement calls. Use importlib.import_module() instead to import a module by name.

Syntax

__import__(name, globals=None, locals=None, fromlist=(), level=0)

Parameters

Parameter	Description
`name`	The module name.
`globals, locals, fromlist, level` optional	Used by the import machinery.

Return value

The imported module (for dotted names, the top-level package unless fromlist is given).

Examples

Import a module by name (recommended)Try it yourself

import importlib
math = importlib.import_module("math")  # the recommended way
print(math.sqrt(16))

Output

4.0

What __import__() returnsTry it yourself

json = __import__("json")
print(json.dumps({"ok": True}))
pkg = __import__("os.path")
print(pkg.__name__)  # returns the top-level package, os

Output

{"ok": true}
os

Good to know

__import__("a.b") returns package a, not module a.b, which surprises most people. importlib.import_module("a.b") returns the module you asked for.

Version history

Version	Change
Python 3.0	Added

dir() · List the names an object has, such as attributes and methods. With no argument, list the names in the current scope.
globals() · Return the dictionary of the current module's global names: variables, functions, classes and imports.
Python Modules and Imports · tutorial