What are true and false branches in n8n?
Quick answer
An n8n If node tests a condition and sends each item down one of two exits. The true branch gets items that pass the test, and the false branch gets everything else, so a single workflow can handle big and small jobs differently.
Last updated
Updated · By Robert Breen
Why it matters for a small business
Not every request deserves the same response. A big job should reach the owner, and a small one can simply be logged. The If node makes that choice automatically. You set one condition, such as a budget over 1,000, and every incoming item is sent to the true branch or the false branch.
Each branch is a separate path on the canvas, so each can lead to different nodes. Before you connect anything, you can click Execute step and see which side the item landed on. The node shows True Branch and False Branch with a count, so you can confirm that your rule behaves as intended.
In a real lesson: IF and Switch in n8n: Route Work by Rules
In the lesson, a test request from Nora Castillo has an Installation service and a Budget of 2500. You add an If node, drag Budget into value1, choose Number, is greater than, and type 1000 in value2.
After Execute step, the request shows under True Branch (1 item), because 2500 is more than 1000, and the false branch is empty. You drag the true dot to Send a message and the false dot to Append row in sheet: big jobs email the owner, others go to the request log.
Try this lesson free or read the step-by-step guide.
Common confusions
If vs Switch
If asks one yes-or-no question and has two exits. Switch compares a value against several rules and can have many exits.
False branch vs nothing happened
An empty branch only means no items went that way this time. It is still wired and ready.
Tips
- Run Execute step on the If node and look at both tabs before connecting.
- Pick Number, not text, for amounts, or the comparison will not behave like math.
- Connect both branches so no item ends up with nowhere to go.
Related terms
More n8n and automation terms
Where you use it: free lessons
- IF and Switch in n8n: Route Work by Rules (n8n, 10 min)
- Speed-to-Lead Agent: Answer Every Web Lead in 60 Seconds (n8n, 15 min)
- Invoices from Your Inbox to Google Sheets, with Approval (n8n, 14 min)
Watch it in a free lesson: Invoices from Your Inbox to Google Sheets, with Approval
2:31Invoices from Your Inbox to Google Sheets, with Approval: video walkthrough
Build an n8n workflow that reads each vendor invoice PDF from Gmail with AI, logs the vendor, invoice number and total in Google Sheets, and emails the owner an Approve button for anything over $1,000. The whole lesson narrated step by step, recorded in Stepthrough’s simulated practice environment.
Prompt templates that use it
Frequently asked questions
- What does True Branch (1 item) mean?
- One item met the condition and went down the true exit. The False Branch tab will show 0 items for that run.
- Can an If node have more than one condition?
- The lesson uses a single condition. For several exact choices, it adds a Switch node instead.
- Where do I click to connect a branch?
- Drag from the true or false dot on the If node to the node it should feed.