Install Python 3 on Ubuntu

Requirements

• Ubuntu 18.04 or newer.
• sudo or root access.
• An internet connection.

Check if Python 3 is installed

Ubuntu usually comes with Python 3.

python3 --version

which python3

Method 1: APT

Step 1: Update

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Python 3

sudo apt install python3

Step 3: Check it

python3 --version

Also install pip and the venv module:

sudo apt install python3-pip python3-venv

Method 2: The Deadsnakes PPA (newer versions)

Step 1: Update

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install the tools

sudo apt install software-properties-common

Step 3: Add the Deadsnakes PPA

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa

sudo apt update

Step 4: Install the version you want (for example Python 3.12)

sudo apt install python3.12 python3.12-venv

Check it with python3.12 --version. The new version is installed beside the system Python. Do not replace the system python3, because Ubuntu tools depend on it.

Method 3: Compile from source

Step 1: Install the build tools

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

Step 2: Download the source from python.org/ftp/python/, for example:

wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.12.4/Python-3.12.4.tgz

Step 3: Extract it

tar -xf Python-3.12.4.tgz
cd Python-3.12.4

Step 4: Configure and build

./configure --enable-optimizations
make -j$(nproc)

Step 5: Install without replacing the system Python

sudo make altinstall

Step 6: Check it

python3.12 --version

Quick recap

• sudo apt install python3 is enough for most people.
• Use the Deadsnakes PPA for newer versions.
• Use altinstall when you compile from source.