How to Install Python

Before you can write your first program, you need to install Python on your computer. The good news: it's free, it takes about five minutes, and you only do it once. This guide walks you through installing Python on Windows, macOS and Linux, checking that it works, and choosing an editor to write your code in.

The four steps at a glance

Whatever computer you use, the process is the same four steps:

You'll type a few commands into a terminal: a text window where you give your computer instructions by typing instead of clicking. Here's how to open one:

• Windows: press the Start button, type Terminal (or Command Prompt) and press Enter.
• macOS: press Cmd + Space, type Terminal and press Enter.
• Linux: on Ubuntu and many others, press Ctrl + Alt + T.

How do you install Python on Windows?

1. Go to python.org, open the Downloads menu and click the button for the latest Python 3 release.
2. Open the downloaded installer file (it ends in .exe).
3. At the bottom of the first screen, tick "Add python.exe to PATH". This is the most important step.
4. Click Install Now and wait for the progress bar to finish.
5. When you see "Setup was successful", click Close.

How do you install Python on macOS?

1. Go to python.org, open Downloads and click the latest Python 3 release for macOS.
2. Open the downloaded .pkg file and click Continue through the screens, then Install. Enter your Mac password if asked.
3. When it finishes, close the installer.

On a Mac, the command is python3, not python. The plain python command often doesn't exist, or points to something else, so get into the habit of typing the 3.

How do you install Python on Linux?

Most Linux distributions already include Python 3, because the system itself uses it. Check first:

python3 --version

Python 3.12.3

If you see a version number, you're done. If you get "command not found", install it with your package manager. On Ubuntu or Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3

On Fedora, use sudo dnf install python3. The word sudo runs the command as an administrator, so you'll be asked for your password.

How do you check your Python version?

Checking the version proves Python is installed and reachable from the terminal. Type the command for your system and press Enter:

python --version

Python 3.14.0

Your number may be different, and that's fine. Anything that starts with Python 3 works. Version 3.12 or newer is ideal, because the error messages in this tutorial match those versions.

What is the Python shell (REPL)?

Python comes with an interactive shell, also called the REPL: Read, Evaluate, Print, Loop. It reads a line you type, runs it, prints the result and waits for the next line. It's perfect for quick experiments, like a calculator that understands Python.

Start it by typing python (Windows) or python3 (macOS and Linux) on its own:

python3

You'll see a short welcome message, then three arrows: >>>. That's the prompt, Python's way of saying "I'm ready, type something." Try typing these lines one at a time:

60 * 24
print("Coffee break!")

>>> 60 * 24
1440
>>> print("Coffee break!")
Coffee break!

To leave the shell, type exit() and press Enter. You can also press Ctrl + D on macOS and Linux, or Ctrl + Z then Enter on Windows.

Which code editor should you use?

The shell is great for one-liners, but real programs live in files. To write them, you need a code editor: a text editor built for code, with colors, auto-indenting and a Run button.

We recommend VS Code. After installing it, open the Extensions panel, search for "Python", install the extension, and you're ready.

Common mistakes when installing Python

1. Forgetting "Add python.exe to PATH" on Windows

In Command Prompt, you'll see:

'python' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

Reinstall (or choose Modify) and tick the PATH box, then open a new terminal window.

2. The Microsoft Store message

If Python isn't installed yet, Windows may answer with:

Python was not found; run without arguments to install from the Microsoft Store, or disable this shortcut from Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases.

This means Windows can't find a real Python. Install it from python.org as shown above, then open a new terminal.

3. Typing python instead of python3 on a Mac

zsh: command not found: python

Use python3 on macOS and Linux.

4. Typing terminal commands inside the Python shell

python --version

NameError: name 'python' is not defined

If you see >>>, you're inside Python, not the terminal. Type exit() first, then run the command.

Practice exercise

python3 --version
python3

365 * 24
exit()

>>> 365 * 24
8760
>>> exit()

What's next?

Python is installed and ready. Now it's time to write a real program and save it in a file: Your First Python Program: Hello, World!