---
title: "Reading attributes — Attributes for Laravel | Roundly"
description: "Read typed values, strings, models and metadata; use the attr() accessor or typed readers; export attributes as key/value maps."
url: https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/attributes-for-laravel/reading-attributes
language: en
---

[All packages](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source.md)

[Attributes for Laravel](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/attributes-for-laravel.md)

# Reading attributes

The owner handle covers the everyday reads — values with defaults applied, presence, bulk maps and history:

```php
use RoundlyConsulting\Attributes\Facades\Attributes;

$attributes = Attributes::for($product);

$attributes->get('color');    // typed value (or the defined default)
$attributes->has('color');    // bool
$attributes->all();           // Collection<name, value>
$attributes->toKeyValue();    // array<name, value>
$attributes->keys();          // list<string>
$attributes->history('color'); // Collection<AttributeRevision>, newest first
```

## On the model

The trait adds richer reads — the Attribute row, the string form and metadata. Attributes::for($model)->get() and has() call the same methods:

```php
$product->getAttachedAttributes();                      // Collection: ['color' => 'white', 'rating' => 5]
$product->getAttachedAttributeValue('color');           // typed value (mixed)
$product->getAttachedAttributeValueAsString('rating');  // '5' (string view)
$product->getAttachedAttribute('color');                // Attribute model or null
$product->hasAttachedAttribute('color');                // bool
$product->getAttachedAttributeMeta('color');            // Collection|null
```

## The attr() accessor

attr() returns a typed value object — one entry point instead of a method per type. Defaults defined in a definition are applied automatically:

```php
$product->attr('rating')->int();        // ?int (falls back to the defined default)
$product->attr('price')->float();       // ?float
$product->attr('on_sale')->bool();      // ?bool
$product->attr('tags')->array();        // ?array
$product->attr('published_at')->date(); // ?Carbon
$product->attr('color')->string();      // ?string
$product->attr('color')->raw();         // underlying typed value
$product->attr('color')->isNull();      // bool
(string) $product->attr('color');       // '' when unset, else the value
```

## Typed readers

The per-type readers still work. Each returns null when the attribute is unset and has no default:

```php
$product->attributeInt('rating');        // ?int
$product->attributeFloat('price');       // ?float
$product->attributeBool('on_sale');      // ?bool
$product->attributeArray('tags');        // ?array (a scalar is wrapped in an array)
$product->attributeDate('published_at'); // ?Carbon
```

bool() and attributeBool() parse a string value the way writes do — 'false', 'off', 'no', '0' and '' read as false, any other text as true. date() and attributeDate() return null for a value that is not a date — blank text, a boolean or anything that does not parse as a date — never the current time.

## Eager loading

Every read method is eager-loading aware: load attachedAttributes first and reads run against the loaded relation instead of querying per call:

```php
$products = Product::query()->with('attachedAttributes')->get();

foreach ($products as $product) {
    $product->getAttachedAttributeValue('color'); // read from the loaded relation
    $product->attr('rating')->int();              // no query per call
}

$product->load('attachedAttributes'); // or load on a single model
```

Every package write and detach on the model unsets the loaded relation, so the next read sees the change — reads query again until you load the relation anew.

## Bulk reads & exports

Besides the handle’s all(), toKeyValue() and keys(), attribute collections flatten to plain maps:

```php
use RoundlyConsulting\Attributes\Models\Attribute;

$product->attachedAttributes()->get()->toKeyValue(); // array<name, value>
Attribute::collect()->keyByName();                   // every stored attribute, keyed by name
```

Bulk maps list stored rows only. Defaults are applied by single-value reads — getAttachedAttributeValue(), attr(), the typed readers and Attributes::for()->get() — and only when the attribute is not attached; an attached attribute holding null reads as null. getAttachedAttributes(), all() and toKeyValue() never apply them. Attribute::collect() loads every attribute row in the table, across all owners.

## Show your open-source love

This package is free and MIT-licensed. If it saves you time, a one-off donation or a Patreon membership keeps it maintained, tested and documented.

[More ways to support, including crypto](https://roundly-consulting.com/support-us.md)

By donating, you agree to our [donation terms](https://roundly-consulting.com/donation-terms.md).

[Support our open source work (opens in a new tab)](https://donate.stripe.com/dRmeVe8FX5PF1Qd9pXcEw00) [Join us on Patreon (opens in a new tab)](https://www.patreon.com/cw/roundly)

## Want this built into your product?

We integrate our packages into custom Laravel and AI builds. Tell us what you're working on and we'll reply within 48 hours.

[Get a quote in 48 hours](https://roundly-consulting.com/contact.md) [Browse all packages](https://roundly-consulting.com/open-source/docs/attributes-for-laravel.md)