How to Install Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Installing Python is one of the first steps in learning the language. This guide shows you how to install Python 3 on Windows, macOS, and Linux, how to check whether it is already installed, and how to verify that it works correctly.

The goal is simple: get one working Python 3 installation that you can run from the command line without confusion.

Quick check

Run these commands after installation to check whether Python is installed and which command name your system uses:

python --version
python3 --version

If one of these shows a Python 3 version number, Python is installed.

What this page helps you do

Install Python on Windows, macOS, or Linux
Check whether Python is already installed
Verify the installation from the command line
Understand whether to use python or python3
Avoid common setup mistakes

Before you install Python

A few important things to know first:

You only need one working Python 3 installation to start learning.
Many systems already include some version of Python.
The main goal is to make sure Python 3 is installed and easy to run.
It is normal if your computer uses python3 instead of python.

If you are a beginner, install Python 3 and ignore Python 2. Python 2 is outdated and should not be used for new code.

How to check if Python is already installed

Before downloading anything, check whether Python is already available.

On Windows, open Command Prompt or PowerShell
On macOS or Linux, open Terminal

Then run:

python --version

If that does not work, try:

python3 --version

What the result means

If you see something like Python 3.12.3, Python is installed.
If you get a message such as command not found or 'python' is not recognized, Python is not available through that command.
If python fails but python3 works, that is normal on many systems.

Install Python on Windows

To install Python on Windows:

Go to the official Python website: https://www.python.org/
Download the latest Python 3 installer for Windows.
Run the installer.
Turn on the checkbox that says "Add Python to PATH"
Click Install Now
Wait for the installation to finish
Open a new Command Prompt window
Run:

python --version

Important Windows tip

The Add Python to PATH checkbox matters. If you skip it, Python may install correctly but the python command may not work in Command Prompt.

If installation worked

You should see a version number, for example:

Python 3.12.3

Install Python on macOS

Many macOS systems already have python3 available, so check first:

python3 --version

If that does not work:

Go to the official Python website: https://www.python.org/
Download the latest Python 3 installer for macOS
Open the installer package
Follow the installation steps
Open Terminal after installation
Run:

python3 --version

On many macOS systems, you should use python3 instead of python.

Install Python on Linux

Many Linux distributions already include Python 3. Check first:

python3 --version

If Python 3 is not installed, use your package manager.

Ubuntu or Debian

sudo apt install python3

Fedora

sudo dnf install python3

Arch Linux

sudo pacman -S python

After installation, verify it:

python3 --version

On Linux, python3 is often the correct command for Python 3.

How to verify the installation

After installing Python, confirm that it actually runs.

First, check the version:

python --version
python3 --version

Then start the Python shell with whichever command works on your system:

python

or:

python3

You should see a prompt like >>>. Now type:

print("Hello, world!")

Expected output:

Hello, world!

If you see the output and no error appears, Python is working correctly.

How to exit the Python shell

On all systems, you can type:

exit()

On Windows, you can also press Ctrl+Z, then Enter
On macOS and Linux, you can also press Ctrl+D

Understand python vs python3

This is one of the most common beginner questions.

Why there are two command names

Different operating systems use different command names:

Some systems map python to Python 3
Some systems use python3 for Python 3
Older systems may reserve python for Python 2

What you should do

Try python --version
If that does not work, try python3 --version
Use the command that works on your system consistently

For example, if python3 works and python does not, run your programs like this:

python3 my_file.py

If you are not sure how to run a script after installation, see how to run Python code from the command line and IDEs.

What to do after installation

Once Python is installed, the next good steps are:

Learn how to run a Python file
Create your first Python program
Choose a code editor or IDE
Install packages with pip later when needed
Ignore virtual environments for now unless a project specifically asks for one

Good next steps:

Troubleshooting common install problems

If Python still does not work after installation, these are the most common reasons.

Python installed but command not found

This usually means Python was installed, but the command is not available in your terminal.

Common causes:

Python was installed but not added to PATH
The terminal was not reopened after installation
You are using python when your system expects python3

On Windows, try closing and reopening Command Prompt or PowerShell.
On macOS and Linux, try python3 if python fails.

Multiple Python versions are causing confusion

Some computers already have another Python version installed. That can make it unclear which one is running.

Use these commands to check:

python --version
python3 --version
where python
where python3
which python
which python3

How to use these commands

On Windows, where shows the path to the executable
On macOS and Linux, which shows the path

If the path points to an unexpected location, you may be using a different Python installation than you thought.

Common setup mistakes

Installing Python but forgetting to add it to PATH
Using python when only python3 works
Not reopening the terminal after installation
Assuming the newest installed version is the one being used
Using a store or package source that behaves differently from the official installer
Checking the wrong command when Python is already installed