Test state attribute: is_state_attr
The is_state_attr template function checks whether a specific attribute of an entityAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more] matches a given value. It returns true or false. This is the attribute equivalent of is_state, which checks the main state.
You’ll use this when you need to make decisions based on an entity’s attributes rather than its main state. For example, checking if a light’s color mode is set to color_temp, if a media player’s source is a specific input, or if a deviceA device is a model representing a physical or logical unit that contains entities.‘s battery level is at a certain value. Like is_state, it safely returns false if the entity doesn’t exist.
Usage
Here’s how to use this template function. Copy any example and adjust it to your setup.
{{ is_state_attr("light.desk", "color_mode", "color_temp") }}
true
Function signature
The signature is a technical summary of this template function. It shows the name of the function, the values (called parameters) it accepts, and what type of data each parameter expects (for example, a piece of text or a number).
Function parameters that have a = with a value after them are optional. If you leave them out, the default value shown is used automatically. Function parameters without a default are required.
is_state_attr(
entity_id: str,
attribute: str,
value: Any,
) -> bool
Function parameters
The following parameters can be provided to this function.
To find the exact attribute names and values for an entity, go to Settings > Tools > States and select the entity.
Good to know
- Returns
false(not an error) when the entity or attribute does not exist. - The comparison is type-strict.
is_state_attr("light.x", "brightness", "255")isfalsewhen the attribute is the integer255.
Try it yourself
Ready to test this? Open Settings > Tools > Template, paste the example into the Template editor, and watch the result update on the right. Edit the values to see how the function adapts to your own entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more].
More examples
Real scenarios where this function comes up in automations and templates. Copy any example and adapt it to your setup.
Check if a media player is playing from a specific source
{{ is_state_attr("media_player.tv", "source", "HDMI 1") }}
true
Use in an automationAutomations in Home Assistant allow you to automatically respond to things that happen in and around your home. [Learn more] conditionConditions check whether something is true at that moment, for example, whether a door is closed. You can use them in automations and scripts. If a condition is not met, the actions that come after it in the same sequence do not run. At the top level of an automation or script, this stops the automation or script. [Learn more]
Only proceed if the climate system is in heating mode.
condition:
- condition: template
value_template: >
{{ is_state_attr("climate.living_room", "hvac_action", "heating") }}
Still stuck?
The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with your template and expected result, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.
AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain or fix templates when you describe what you want in plain language.
Related template functions
These functions work well alongside this one:
-
Get state attribute: state_attr - Returns the value of a specific attribute from an entity’s state.
-
Test entity state: is_state - Tests if an entity is in a specific state.
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Get entity state: states - Returns the state value of an entity, or lets you iterate over all entity states.
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Check if entity has a value: has_value - Tests if an entity exists and has a valid state (not unavailable or unknown).