Install Python

Summary: in this tutorial, you’ll learn how to install Python on your computer, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Install Python on Windows #

Download Python Installer #

Run the installer #

Double-click the installer file to run the installer.

In the installer window:

  • Check Add Python to PATH at the bottom of the window. This ensures you can run the python command line without specifying its full path.
  • Click Install Now to begin the installation.
  • Leave other options as the default.

It’ll take a few minutes to complete the setup.

Verify the installation #

  • Open the Command Prompt by pressing Win + R, type, and press Enter.
  • Check the install Python version using the command: python --version. You should see output indicating the version you install, e.g., Python 3.13.2

If you see the following output from the Command Prompt after typing the python command:

'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.Code language: Shell Session (shell)

It’s likely that you didn’t check the Add Python to PATH checkbox when you installed Python.

Install Python on macOS #

It’s recommended to install Python on macOS using an official installer. Here are the steps:

  • First, download a Python release for macOS.
  • Second, run the installer by double-clicking the installer file.
  • Third, follow the instructions on the screen and click the Next button until the installer completes.

Install Python on Linux #

Before installing Python 3 on your Linux distribution, you check whether Python 3 was already installed by running the following command from the terminal:

python3 --version

If you see a response with the version of Python, then your computer already has Python 3 installed. Otherwise, you can install Python 3 using a package management system.

For example, you can install Python 3.13 on Ubuntu using apt:

sudo apt install python3.13Code language: CSS (css)

To install the newer version, you replace 3.13 with that version.

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