What's the correct way to sort Python `import x` and `from x import y` statements?

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The python style guide suggests to group imports like this:

Imports should be grouped in the following order:

  1. standard library imports
  2. related third party imports
  3. local application/library specific imports

However, it does not mention anything how the two different ways of imports should be laid out:

from foo import bar
import foo

There are multiple ways to sort them (let's assume all those import belong to the same group):

  • first from..import, then import

    from g import gg
from x import xx
import abc
import def
import x

  • first import, then from..import

    import abc
import def
import x
from g import gg
from x import xx

  • alphabetic order by module name, ignoring the kind of import

    import abc
import def
from g import gg
import x
from xx import xx

PEP8 does not mention the preferred order for this and the "cleanup imports" features some IDEs have probably just do whatever the developer of that feature preferred.

I'm looking for another PEP clarifying this or a relevant comment/email from the BDFL (or another Python core developer). Please don't post subjective answers stating your own preference.

pep8 coding-style python-import python
6 Answers

I feel like the accepted answer is a bit too verbose. Here is TLDR:

Within each grouping, imports should be sorted lexicographically, ignoring case, according to each module’s full package path

Google code style guide

So, the third option is correct:

import abc
import def
from g import yy  # changed gg->yy for illustrative purposes
import x
from xx import xx
user_2716410
user_13549300

All import x statements should be sorted by the value of x and all from x import y statements should be sorted by the value of x in alphabetical order and the sorted groups of from x import y statements must follow the sorted group of import x statements.

import abc
import def
import x
from g import gg
from x import xx
from z import a
user_67282330
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