FAQ: What version of Python is used in ArcGIS?

Question

What version of Python is used in ArcGIS?

Answer

The Python programming language is used in each version of ArcGIS since 9.0, and is incorporated into the automatic installation of ArcMap and ArcGIS for Server. ArcGIS installs the versions of Python listed below during a complete installation process.

The following lists the versions of Python used in each version of ArcGIS since 10.0.

Note:
It is not recommended to install an independent version of Python for use in ArcGIS. Using a different version of Python can lead to compatibility issues and root folder problems.

ArcGIS Pro

The version of Python and its stack versions can be determined by opening the Python window in the application (View > Python) and typing the following commands:

import sys
import matplotlib
import numpy
import scipy
print(sys.version)
print(matplotlib.__version__)
print(numpy.__version__)
print(scipy.__version__)

The commands display the default Python version used with the application. In the image below (ArcGIS Pro 2.1), the version of Python is 3.6.2, followed by the versions of matplotlib, numpy, and scipy.

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

ArcGIS (for) Desktop

• 10.6.1 - Python 2.7.14 and Numerical Python 1.9.3
• 10.6 - Python 2.7.14 and Numerical Python 1.9.3
• 10.5.1 - Python 2.7.13 and Numerical Python 1.9.3
• 10.5 - Python 2.7.12 and Numerical Python 1.9.3
• 10.4.x - Python 2.7.10 and Numerical Python 1.9.2
• 10.3.x - Python 2.7.x and Numerical Python 1.7.x required; 2.7.8 and 1.7.1 are installed if the version requirement is not met
• 10.2.x - Python 2.7.5 and Numerical Python 1.7.1
• 10.2 - Python 2.7.3 and Numerical Python 1.6.1
• 10.1 - Python 2.7.2 and Numerical Python 1.6.1
• 10 - Python 2.6.5 and Numerical Python 1.3.0

ArcGIS Enterprise / ArcGIS Server

• 10.6.1 - Python 2.7.14, Numerical Python 1.9.3, and Matplotlib 1.5.2 
• 10.6 - Python 2.7.14, Numerical Python 1.9.3, and Matplotlib 1.5.2
• 10.5.1 - Python 2.7.13, Numerical Python 1.9.3, and Matplotlib 1.5.2
• 10.5 - Python 2.7.12, Numerical Python 1.9.3, and Matplotlib 1.5.2
• 10.4.x - Python 2.7.10, Numerical Python 1.9.2, and Matplotlib 1.4.3
• 10.3.x - Python 2.7.8, Numerical Python 1.7.1, and Matplotlib 1.3.0
• 10.2.x - Python 2.7 (64 bit)
• 10.1 - Python 2.7 (64 bit)
• 10 - Python 2.6.5 and Numerical Python 1.3.0

Related Information

• Python in ArcGIS Pro
• Python for ArcGIS home page
• ArcGIS 10.2.x System Requirements
• ArcGIS 10.3.x System Requirements
• ArcGIS 10.4.x System Requirements
• ArcGIS 10.5.x System Requirements
• ArcGIS 10.6.x System Requirements