How to Create a Directory in Python

If you want to create a new folder in Python, the safest beginner-friendly option is usually the standard library pathlib module.

In this guide, you will learn how to:

Create a single directory in Python
Create nested directories when parent folders do not exist
Avoid errors when a directory already exists
Choose between pathlib and os.mkdir() / os.makedirs()

Quick answer

from pathlib import Path

Path("my_folder").mkdir(exist_ok=True)

This creates the folder if it does not exist. If it already exists, Python does nothing.

What this page helps you do

This page shows you how to:

Create one folder
Create several nested folders
Avoid common folder-creation errors
Pick the right tool for simple and nested paths

Best beginner option: `pathlib.Path.mkdir()`

For most beginner code, pathlib is the best choice because it makes paths easier to read and work with. If you are new to file paths, see working with file paths in Python.

Create one directory

from pathlib import Path

Path("my_folder").mkdir()
print("Folder created")

This creates a folder named my_folder in the current working directory.

Avoid an error if the folder already exists

If the folder might already be there, use exist_ok=True.

from pathlib import Path

Path("my_folder").mkdir(exist_ok=True)
print("Folder is ready")

This is useful when you want to make sure the folder exists without crashing your program.

Create nested directories

If parent folders do not exist yet, use parents=True.

from pathlib import Path

Path("projects/python/demo").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
print("Nested folders created")

This can create:

projects
projects/python
projects/python/demo

all in one step.

Using `os.mkdir()`

You can also create a directory with os.mkdir().

import os

os.mkdir("my_folder")
print("Folder created")

This works for a single folder, but there are limits:

It creates only one directory
It fails if the parent folder does not exist
It fails if the folder already exists

Because of that, os.mkdir() is best for very simple cases. If you want a broader overview, see the Python os module overview.

Using `os.makedirs()` for nested folders

If you need to create nested folders with the os module, use os.makedirs().

import os

os.makedirs("a/b/c", exist_ok=True)
print("Nested folders created")

This creates all missing folders in the path.

Use this when:

You need multiple levels of folders
Some parent folders may not exist yet
You want to avoid an error if the folders already exist

If you build paths from separate parts, you may also want to learn how os.path.join() works.

Common errors and how to avoid them

Here are the most common problems when creating a directory in Python.

`FileExistsError`

This happens when you try to create a folder that already exists.

Example:

from pathlib import Path

Path("my_folder").mkdir()
Path("my_folder").mkdir()

The second call raises an error.

Fix it by using:

from pathlib import Path

Path("my_folder").mkdir(exist_ok=True)

For more help, see FileExistsError in Python: causes and fixes.

`PermissionError`

This happens when Python does not have permission to write to that location.

Example:

from pathlib import Path

Path("/protected_folder").mkdir()

This may fail on systems where that location is protected.

Ways to fix it:

Save the folder in your project directory instead
Check that you have permission to write there
Avoid protected system folders

For a full guide, see how to fix PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied.

`FileNotFoundError`

This can happen when the parent path is invalid in some cases.

Example:

import os

os.mkdir("missing_parent/my_folder")

This fails because missing_parent does not exist.

Fix it by using nested-folder tools:

from pathlib import Path

Path("missing_parent/my_folder").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

How to check that the directory was created

You can verify that the folder exists with pathlib.

Check whether the path exists

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path("my_folder")
print(folder.exists())

Expected output:

True

Check whether it is a directory

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path("my_folder")
print(folder.is_dir())

Expected output:

True

Print the full path for debugging

This helps when you are not sure where Python is creating the folder.

from pathlib import Path

folder = Path("my_folder")
print(folder.resolve())

You can also print the current working directory:

import os

print(os.getcwd())

If you need to check paths more generally, see how to check if a file exists in Python.

When to use each approach

Use the method that matches your task.

Use `pathlib` when possible

pathlib is usually the best option for beginners because:

It is easy to read
It works well with paths
It supports both simple and nested directory creation

Examples:

from pathlib import Path

Path("one_folder").mkdir(exist_ok=True)
Path("a/b/c").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

Use `os.mkdir()` for one simple folder

Choose os.mkdir() when:

You only need one directory
You know the parent folder already exists
You do not mind handling errors yourself

Use `os.makedirs()` or `Path.mkdir(parents=True)` for nested folders

Choose one of these when:

You need to create multiple folder levels
Parent folders may not exist
You want simpler setup code

Try to keep your path code consistent. If you start with pathlib, it is usually easiest to continue using pathlib.

Common mistakes

These are the most common causes of problems:

Trying to create a directory that already exists
Trying to create nested folders with os.mkdir() instead of os.makedirs()
Using a path where the program does not have permission to write
Misspelling the target path

Helpful debugging commands:

from pathlib import Path
print(Path('my_folder').exists())

from pathlib import Path
print(Path('my_folder').is_dir())

import os
print(os.getcwd())

from pathlib import Path
print(Path('my_folder').resolve())

FAQ

How do I create a directory only if it does not exist?

Use either of these:

from pathlib import Path

Path("my_folder").mkdir(exist_ok=True)

import os

os.makedirs("my_folder", exist_ok=True)

How do I create nested directories in Python?

Use either of these:

from pathlib import Path

Path("a/b/c").mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)

import os

os.makedirs("a/b/c", exist_ok=True)

Should I use `pathlib` or `os`?

For beginners, pathlib is usually easier to read and work with.

Why do I get `PermissionError` when creating a folder?

Your script may be trying to write in a protected location or a folder you do not own.