---
type: api
title: Check index templates
description: Check whether index templates exist.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/operation/operation-indices-exists-index-template
resource: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch/v8/operation/operation-indices-exists-index-template
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# Check index templates

## Paths

- `HEAD` `/_index_template/{name}`

#### Path parameters

- `name` (string) — required
  Comma-separated list of index template names used to limit the request. Wildcard (*) expressions are supported.

## Description

Check whether index templates exist.

## Required authorization

- Cluster privileges: `manage_index_templates`

## Authentication

- Api key: `Authorization: <value>`
  Elasticsearch APIs support key-based authentication.
  You must create an API key and use the encoded value in the request header.
  For example:
  
  
  ```
  curl -X GET "${ES_URL}/_cat/indices?v=true" \
    -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
  ```
  
  To get API keys, use the `/_security/api_key` APIs.
- Basic: `Authorization: Basic <credentials>`
- Bearer: `Authorization: Bearer <token>`
  Elasticsearch APIs support the use of bearer tokens in the `Authorization` HTTP header to authenticate with the API.
  For examples, refer to [Token-based authentication services](https://www.elastic.co/guide/en/elasticsearch/reference/current/token-authentication-services.html)

## Query string parameters

- `local` (boolean · default: false) — optional
  If true, the request retrieves information from the local node only. Defaults to false, which means information is retrieved from the master node.
- `flat_settings` (boolean · default: false) — optional
  If true, returns settings in flat format.
- `master_timeout` (string · default: 30s) — optional
  Period to wait for a connection to the master node. If no response is received before the timeout expires, the request fails and returns an error.

## Response

`application/json`

## Code examples

#### Console

```console
HEAD /_index_template/NAME
```

#### curl

```curl
curl -X HEAD "${ELASTICSEARCH_URL}/_index_template/${NAME}" \
  -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
```