How to Check Your Python Version on Mac

Knowing which version of Python is running on your Mac isn't just a housekeeping detail — it directly affects whether your scripts run, whether your libraries are compatible, and whether you're exposed to known security vulnerabilities. Here's what you need to know to check it accurately, and why the answer isn't always as straightforward as typing one command.

Why Your Mac Might Have More Than One Python Version

Before running any command, it helps to understand why Macs often have multiple Python installations coexisting at the same time.

macOS has historically shipped with Python pre-installed, but Apple stopped bundling Python 2 by default starting with macOS 12.3 Monterey. However, many developers have since installed Python 3 manually — sometimes more than once — through tools like Homebrew, pyenv, Anaconda, or directly from python.org. Each of these installs can live in a different directory and respond to different terminal commands.

This is why simply knowing "I have Python" doesn't tell you much. The version your terminal finds first depends on how your system's PATH is configured — the ordered list of directories your Mac searches when you type a command.

The Basic Commands to Check Python Version 🖥️

Open Terminal (found in Applications → Utilities, or via Spotlight with Cmd + Space) and try these commands: