---
name: "podman-container-exists"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "podman"
version: "6.1.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/podman-container-exists"
---

# podman-container-exists(1)

Check if a container exists in local storage

## NAME

podman-container-exists - Check if a container exists in local storage

## SYNOPSIS

**podman container exists** \[*options*\] *container*

## DESCRIPTION

**podman container exists** checks if a container exists in local storage. The *container ID* or *name* is used as input. Podman returns an exit code of **0** when the container is found.  A **1** is returned otherwise. An exit code of **125** indicates there was an issue accessing the local storage.

## OPTIONS

### --external

Check for external *containers* as well as Podman *containers*. These external *containers* are generally created via other container technology such as **Buildah** or **CRI-O**.\
 The default is **false**.

**-h**, **--help**

Prints usage statement.\
 The default is **false**.

## EXAMPLES

Check if a container called "webclient" exists in local storage. Here, the container does exist.

```
$ podman container exists webclient
$ echo $?
0
```

Check if a container called "webbackend" exists in local storage. Here, the container does not exist.

```
$ podman container exists webbackend
$ echo $?
1
```

Check if a container called "ubi8-working-container" created via Buildah exists in local storage. Here, the container does not exist.

```
$ podman container exists --external ubi8-working-container
$ echo $?
1
```

## SEE ALSO

**[podman(1)](/podman/1.md)**

## HISTORY

November 2018, Originally compiled by Brent Baude bbaude@redhat.com ⟨mailto:bbaude@redhat.com⟩