Installing Python on Linux: apt, dnf, pacman and More

Step-by-step guide to installing Python on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and other Linux distributions using your system’s native package manager.

Most modern Linux distributions ship with Python 3 pre-installed, which makes getting started particularly smooth on Linux. Even if your system Python is present, it is good practice to verify the version, ensure pip and venv are available, and understand how to install a newer release if your distribution packages an older one. This guide covers the most popular distributions and their package managers.

Check what is already installed

Open a terminal and run:

python3 --version

If you see Python 3.10 or later, you are in good shape for this course. Also check that pip is available:

pip3 --version

Linux uses python3 to distinguish from the legacy Python 2 interpreter, which is still present on some older distributions. Always use python3 explicitly unless you have configured a python alias or symlink yourself.

If Python is missing, outdated, or pip is not found, the steps below will get you sorted.

Install or update Python

Ubuntu / Debian

1. Update your package lists

   sudo apt update
   
2. Install Python, pip, and venv

   sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv
   

   python3-venv gives you the venv module for creating isolated project environments — you will use this throughout the course.

3. Install development headers (optional but recommended)

   Some Python packages compile native extensions during installation. The development headers are needed for that:

   sudo apt install python3-dev build-essential
   
4. Get the latest Python via the deadsnakes PPA (optional)

   If your distribution ships an older Python 3 version and you want the latest release:

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install python3.13 python3.13-venv python3.13-dev
   

   The deadsnakes PPA is maintained by the Python community and provides up-to-date Python packages for Ubuntu. It is widely trusted and used.

Fedora / RHEL / CentOS

1. Install Python, pip, and development headers

   sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip python3-devel
   
2. Install compilation tools

   sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools"
   
3. Install a newer Python version (optional)

   Check which versions are available:

   dnf search python3
   

   Install a specific version:

   sudo dnf install python3.13
   

Arch / Manjaro

1. Install Python and pip

   Python is usually pre-installed on Arch. If it isn’t:

   sudo pacman -S python python-pip
   
2. Install base development tools

   sudo pacman -S base-devel
   
3. Install a specific version from the AUR (optional)

   yay -S python313
   

openSUSE

1. Install Python, pip, and headers

   sudo zypper install python3 python3-pip python3-devel
   
2. Install the development pattern

   sudo zypper install -t pattern devel_basis
   

Alpine

1. Install Python and pip

   apk add python3 py3-pip python3-dev
   
2. Install build tools

   apk add build-base
   

Verify your installation

After installation, confirm both Python and pip are accessible:

python3 --version
pip3 --version

Expected output (version numbers will vary):

Python 3.13.5
pip 24.0 from /usr/lib/python3/dist-packages/pip (python 3.13)

Test the Python interpreter

Launch the Python REPL to confirm everything is working end-to-end:

python3

You will see the >>> prompt:

Python 3.13.5 (main, Jul 29 2025, 12:03:01) [GCC 11.2.0] on linux
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

Try a quick command:

print("Hello from Python on Linux!")

Exit with exit() or Ctrl + D.

Troubleshooting

'python3' command not found

Python is not installed (or not in your PATH). Install it using your package manager:

# Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3

# Fedora
sudo dnf install python3

# Arch
sudo pacman -S python

After installation, open a new terminal and try python3 --version again.

'pip3' command not found

pip is not installed. Fix it with your package manager or the Python built-in bootstrap:

# Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt install python3-pip

# Fedora
sudo dnf install python3-pip

# Arch
sudo pacman -S python-pip

# Any distro — use Python's built-in ensurepip
python3 -m ensurepip --upgrade

Permission denied when installing packages

On Linux, you should never install pip packages into the system Python with sudo pip3 install — it can conflict with system packages.

Preferred solution — use a virtual environment:

python3 -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate
pip install package-name

Inside the virtual environment, pip install works without sudo or permission issues.

Alternative — install in your user directory:

pip3 install --user package-name

externally-managed-environment error (pip refuses to install)

Modern Ubuntu (23.04+) and other distributions enforce PEP 668, which prevents pip from installing packages into the system Python environment. This is intentional — it protects system tools.

Use a virtual environment (recommended):

python3 -m venv myenv
source myenv/bin/activate
pip install package-name

Install in user directory:

pip3 install --user package-name

Use pipx for standalone tools:

sudo apt install pipx
pipx install tool-name

Python version is too old

If your distribution ships an outdated Python 3 (e.g., 3.8 on older Ubuntu), you have several options:

Option 1 — deadsnakes PPA (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3.13

Option 2 — compile from source:

# Install build dependencies
sudo apt install build-essential zlib1g-dev libncurses5-dev \
  libgdbm-dev libnss3-dev libssl-dev libreadline-dev \
  libffi-dev libsqlite3-dev wget libbz2-dev

# Download and build Python 3.13
wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.13.5/Python-3.13.5.tgz
tar -xf Python-3.13.5.tgz
cd Python-3.13.5
./configure --enable-optimizations
make -j "$(nproc)"
sudo make altinstall

Use make altinstall (not make install) to avoid replacing the system python3 symlink.

Option 3 — pyenv: A dedicated version manager that installs any Python version in your home directory without touching system files. Install it from github.com/pyenv/pyenv.

Next steps

Continue to VS Code Introduction

Install and configure Visual Studio Code as your Python editor.