diff --git a/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py b/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py
index cd552a33e5d..d985473792e 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py
@@ -219,6 +219,8 @@ class CoverTemplate(TemplateEntity, CoverEntity):
         self._optimistic = optimistic or (not state_template and not position_template)
         self._tilt_optimistic = tilt_optimistic or not tilt_template
         self._position = None
+        self._is_opening = False
+        self._is_closing = False
         self._tilt_value = None
         self._unique_id = unique_id
 
@@ -260,6 +262,9 @@ class CoverTemplate(TemplateEntity, CoverEntity):
                 self._position = 100
             else:
                 self._position = 0
+
+            self._is_opening = state == STATE_OPENING
+            self._is_closing = state == STATE_CLOSING
         else:
             _LOGGER.error(
                 "Received invalid cover is_on state: %s. Expected: %s",
@@ -319,6 +324,16 @@ class CoverTemplate(TemplateEntity, CoverEntity):
         """Return if the cover is closed."""
         return self._position == 0
 
+    @property
+    def is_opening(self):
+        """Return if the cover is currently opening."""
+        return self._is_opening
+
+    @property
+    def is_closing(self):
+        """Return if the cover is currently closing."""
+        return self._is_closing
+
     @property
     def current_cover_position(self):
         """Return current position of cover.
diff --git a/tests/components/template/test_cover.py b/tests/components/template/test_cover.py
index 08c789633fc..c1309a16e67 100644
--- a/tests/components/template/test_cover.py
+++ b/tests/components/template/test_cover.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-"""The tests the cover command line platform."""
+"""The tests for the Template cover platform."""
 import pytest
 
 from homeassistant import setup
@@ -15,9 +15,11 @@ from homeassistant.const import (
     SERVICE_TOGGLE,
     SERVICE_TOGGLE_COVER_TILT,
     STATE_CLOSED,
+    STATE_CLOSING,
     STATE_OFF,
     STATE_ON,
     STATE_OPEN,
+    STATE_OPENING,
     STATE_UNAVAILABLE,
 )
 
@@ -74,6 +76,18 @@ async def test_template_state_text(hass, calls):
     state = hass.states.get("cover.test_template_cover")
     assert state.state == STATE_CLOSED
 
+    state = hass.states.async_set("cover.test_state", STATE_OPENING)
+    await hass.async_block_till_done()
+
+    state = hass.states.get("cover.test_template_cover")
+    assert state.state == STATE_OPENING
+
+    state = hass.states.async_set("cover.test_state", STATE_CLOSING)
+    await hass.async_block_till_done()
+
+    state = hass.states.get("cover.test_template_cover")
+    assert state.state == STATE_CLOSING
+
 
 async def test_template_state_boolean(hass, calls):
     """Test the value_template attribute."""