What version of Python is used in ArcGIS?

Answer

The Python programming language has been used in each version since ArcGIS 9.0. It is incorporated into the setups of ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Enterprise. ArcGIS installs the versions of Python listed below.

The version of NumPy and Matplotlib is included with the Python environment in the most recent releases.

Note:
It is not recommended to install an independent version of Python for use in ArcGIS Desktop. Using a different version of Python can lead to compatibility issues and root folder problems. It is not supported to replace the version of Python that ships with ArcGIS Server.

ArcGIS Pro

The Python libraries for the current released version of ArcGIS Pro are listed in the help document: Available Python libraries

The version of Python and its stack versions in the installed version of Pro can be determined by opening the Python window in the application by clicking View > Python, and typing the following commands:

import sys
import matplotlib
import numpy
import scipy
print(sys.version)
print(matplotlib.__version__) #use double underscores before and after 'version'
print(numpy.__version__)
print(scipy.__version__)

The commands display the default Python version used with the application. In the image below (ArcGIS Pro 2.5), the version of Python is 3.6.9, followed by the versions of the Matplotlib, NumPy, and SciPy packages. Many other packages are also included with the Python environment. Use the Python tab in the ArcGIS Pro settings to check the version of those packages .

Note:
In ArcGIS Pro versions 1.0 through 1.2, if Python is used outside of ArcGIS Pro, it is required to install Python for ArcGIS Pro. This is not required for versions 1.3 and later.

ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap)

Note:
ArcMap is in Mature support and will be retired March 1, 2026. There are no plans for future releases of ArcMap, and it is recommended that you migrate to ArcGIS Pro. See Migrate from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro for more information.

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Enterprise also ships with Python. In the latter releases of ArcGIS Enterprise 10.x, both Python 2.x and Python 3.x runtimes are included with the ArcGIS Server component. Beginning with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.0, only Python 3.x is included.

ArcGIS Notebook Server

Each notebook runtime in ArcGIS Notebook Server packages a precise list of Python libraries, including a specific version of each. If you need a library that is not in either runtime by default, you can extend a notebook runtime to include it. Refer to ArcGIS Notebook Server: Available Python libraries for a complete list of the Python libraries packaged in each default runtime.