# layout/if
**Symbol:** `layout/if`

General block syntax: [Reader and layout syntax](../reader-layout.md).

**Use-case:** Multi-branch conditional with optional `elif` and `else` peers.
Lowers to `compile/cond`.

**Behaviour:** Accepts optional peer blocks `elif` and `else`. After the `if`
body, the reader gathers contiguous peer blocks at the same indent as the
`if` header (including when `if`/`else` appears nested inside another block's
body) and expands them with the primary through **`apply_layouts`**. Produces
`(cond (TEST BODY) (TEST BODY) ... (else: BODY))`. Rules: `elif` cannot
follow `else`; `else` takes no arguments; only one `else` is allowed.

**Syntax:**

```
if COND:
  BODY
elif COND:
  BODY
else:
  BODY
```

**Examples:**

```koskari
if x:
  y
;; -> (cond (x y))

if x:
  a
elif y:
  b
else:
  c
;; -> (cond (x a) (y b) (else: c))
```

**Also:** macro [`if`](../macros/compile-if.md).