HowTo: Find Python Version

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How do I find out python programming language version under a UNIX / *BSD / Linux / Apple OS X operating systems?

You need to simply type the following commands to find out python version (open the terminal application or shell prompt):

## type at your shell ##
python -V

OR

## type at your shell ##
python --version

Sample outputs:

Python 2.7.14

So I am using Python version 2.17.14. The -V or –version option shows the Python version number of the executable and exit. For Python 3, try the follwoing command:
$ python3 -V
## or ##
$ python3 --version
Sample outputs:

Python 3.6.3

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin, DevOps engineer, and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. Get the latest tutorials on SysAdmin, Linux/Unix and open source topics via RSS/XML feed or weekly email newsletter.

5 comment

  1. I’d like to know what version of Python a module is made for before I download it – 2.7 or 3.3. Often it’s not stated or I can’t figure how to find it. I’m not sure why they don’t make that clear or maybe I’m missing something because I’m new at it. I searched google for that idea but all it does is tells me how to find the Module version. I don’t want that. I want to know what version of python a module is for. It doesn’t seem to be clearly stated on download sites or even in the module or documentation.

    1. Don’t type “python -V” at the python command prompt (interpreter) but at the command prompt of the shell you are using … here’s an example on Windows :

      C:\Python33>python -V
      Python 3.3.2

      If you want to know from within python command prompt you will have to type …

      C:\Python33>python
      Python 3.3.2 (v3.3.2:d047928ae3f6, May 16 2013, 00:03:43) [MSC v.1600 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
      Type “help”, “copyright”, “credits” or “license” for more information.
      >>> import sys
      >>> sys.version
      ‘3.3.2 (v3.3.2:d047928ae3f6, May 16 2013, 00:03:43) [MSC v.1600 32 bit (Intel)]’

      Hope this helps.

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