What Is a Package in Python?

A package in Python is a way to organize related code.
In simple terms, a package is usually a folder that contains Python modules and sometimes other package folders.

This helps keep code grouped in a clear structure instead of putting everything into one large file.

Beginners often use packages before they know the term. For example, when you write an import statement, you may already be using a module that belongs to a package.

import math
import json

print(math.sqrt(16))
print(json.dumps({"name": "Sam"}))

Output:

4.0
{"name": "Sam"}

A package is a way to organize Python code. Beginners often use packages before they fully understand them.

What a package means in Python

A package helps organize related Python code.

Here is the basic idea:

A package is usually a folder
That folder contains one or more modules
A module is usually a single .py file
Packages make larger programs easier to manage
You often notice packages when using import

For example:

math is a module
A folder containing several related .py files can be a package

If you are not fully sure what a module is, see what is a module in Python or Python modules explained.

Package vs module

A package and a module are not the same thing.

A module is usually one Python file
A package is a collection of modules in a folder
You import a module with code like import module_name
You can import from a package with code like import package.module

Example:

import json
import xml.etree.ElementTree

In this example:

json is imported directly
xml.etree.ElementTree shows a name inside a larger package structure

This page is only defining the term. If you want the full beginner explanation of imports, read how import works in Python or how to import a module in Python.

Simple package structure

A package often looks like a folder containing multiple Python files.

Example structure:

my_project/
└── tools/
    ├── __init__.py
    ├── math_helpers.py
    └── string_helpers.py

In this example:

tools is the package folder
math_helpers.py is a module
string_helpers.py is another module

Related code is grouped together inside one folder.

A package can also contain subpackages, which are package folders inside other package folders.

Example:

my_project/
└── tools/
    ├── __init__.py
    ├── math_helpers.py
    └── text/
        ├── __init__.py
        └── string_helpers.py

This makes it easier to organize larger projects.

Why packages are useful

Packages are useful because they help structure code clearly.

They help by:

Keeping code organized
Grouping related features together
Reducing confusion in larger programs
Making code easier to reuse
Making code easier to share

Without packages, a project can quickly become messy if every feature is placed in one file.

Common examples beginners already use

Beginners often use packages and modules from Python’s standard library.

Common examples include:

json
os

You may also install third-party tools with pip. Many of those are distributed as packages.

Important beginner note:

You do not need to build your own package before you can use one
You can use packages just by importing them
You can install many external packages with pip

If you want to do that next, see how to install a Python package with pip.

Important beginner note about `init.py`

Older explanations often say that a package must contain a file named __init__.py.

That file is still very common and still useful.

In modern Python, some packages can work without __init__.py.
For beginner learning, the important thing to know is:

You will often see __init__.py in package folders
It is normal for package examples to include it
Its presence often helps show that a folder is meant to be part of a package structure

So if you see this file, do not worry. It is a normal part of many Python package examples.

When this term is usually confusing

The word package is often confusing because beginners mix it up with other Python terms.

Common confusion points:

Mixing up package, module, and library
Thinking every imported name is a package
Thinking pip only installs modules
Confusing an ordinary folder with an importable package

A useful way to remember it:

Module = usually one .py file
Package = a folder that groups related modules
Library = a broader term for reusable code

Common mistakes

These are common mistakes beginners make when learning this term:

Confusing a single .py file with a package
Thinking package and library mean exactly the same thing
Not realizing that packages help organize multiple modules
Seeing import package.module and not knowing that it often matches a folder structure

If you run into import problems while working with packages, these commands can help:

python --version
python -c "import json; print(json.__file__)"
python -c "import os; print(os.__name__)"
python -c "import sys; print(sys.path)"

What these do:

python --version shows which Python version you are using
import json; print(json.__file__) shows where the imported code comes from
import os; print(os.__name__) shows the imported module name
import sys; print(sys.path) shows where Python looks for importable code

If Python cannot find a package or module, see ModuleNotFoundError: No module named x or ImportError: No module named x.

What Is a Package in Python?

What a package means in Python

Package vs module

Simple package structure

Why packages are useful

Common examples beginners already use

Important beginner note about `init.py`

When this term is usually confusing

Common mistakes

FAQ

Is a package the same as a module in Python?

Is every folder a Python package?

Do Python packages always need `init.py`?

What is the difference between a package and a library?

Can I install packages with `pip`?

See also