How to check your Python version in Jupyter Notebook

# How to check your Python version in Jupyter Notebook

The easiest way to check your Python version in Jupyter Notebook is to:

1. Import the python_version method from the platform module.
2. Call the python_version() method to print the Python version as a string.

Start Jupyter Notebook by issuing the jupyter-notebook command from your terminal.

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jupyter-notebook

Click on New and select Python 3 (ipykernel).

Now, import the python_version method from the platform module and call it.

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from platform import python_version

print(python_version())

Once you import and call the method, click on the Run button or press Ctrl + Enter.

The screenshot shows that my Python version is 3.11.3.

The code sample imports the python_version method from the platform module.

Unlike the sys.version attribute, the string always contains the patch component (even if it's 0).

If you have virtual environments that you are trying to switch to from within Jupyter Notebook:

1. Click on Kernel.
2. Hover over Change kernel.
3. Select your virtual environment.

If you encounter any issues when switching virtual environments, restart the kernel.

If you need to create a new virtual environment in Jupyter Notebook, follow the instructions in this article.

# Check your Python interpreter in Jupyter Notebook using the sys module

You can use the sys module if you need to check your Python interpreter in Jupyter Notebook.

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import sys

print(sys.executable) # 👉️ /usr/bin/python3.11

The sys.executable attribute returns the absolute path of the executable binary of the Python interpreter.

If Python can't determine the path to the interpreter, then sys.executable returns an empty string or a None value.

There is also a sys.version attribute that returns a string containing:

• the version number of the Python interpreter
• additional information about the build number and the compiler

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import sys

print(sys.executable) # /usr/bin/python3.11

# 👇️ 3.11.3 (main, Apr  5 2023, 14:14:37) [GCC 11.3.0]
print(sys.version)

# 👇️ sys.version_info(major=3, minor=11,
#  micro=3, releaselevel='final', serial=0)
print(sys.version_info)

The sys.version_info attribute returns a tuple that contains five components of the version number:

1. major
2. minor
3. micro
4. release level
5. serial

All components except for the release level are integers.

The release level component can be one of the following:

• alpha
• beta
• candidate
• final

You can access specific tuple elements at an index.

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import sys

# 👇️ sys.version_info(major=3, minor=11,
#  micro=3, releaselevel='final', serial=0)
print(sys.version_info)

print(sys.version_info[0]) # 3
print(sys.version_info[1]) # 11
print(sys.version_info[2]) # 3
print(sys.version_info[3]) # final

# Using the !python --version command to check your version

You can also use the !python --version command to check your Python version in Jupyter Notebook.

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!python --version

# Same as above
!python -V

The !python -V command is an alias of the !python --version command.

Notice that the command is prefixed with an exclamation mark.

This is necessary when issuing the command in a Jupyter cell.

The exclamation mark ! is used to run a shell command in Jupyter.

You can use the !jupyter --version command if you need to check your Jupyter version.

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!jupyter --version

# Using the menu to check your Python version in Jupyter Notebook

You can also use the Help menu to check your Python version in Jupyter Notebook:

1. Click on Help in the top menu.
2. Click on About.

The screen shows:

• The version of the notebook server
• The Python version that is run in Jupyter Notebook
• Additional information about the current kernel

If you encounter issues when checking your version, try restarting the kernel.

# Additional Resources

You can learn more about the related topics by checking out the following tutorials:

• Error executing Jupyter command 'notebook': [Errno 2] No such file or directory
• VS Code: Change Python version & select correct Interpreter
• NameError: name 'unicode' is not defined in Python
• How to add a new line in a Jupyter Notebook markdown cell
• Wrap code/text into multiple Lines in Jupyter Notebook
• The purpose of the exclamation mark (!) in Jupyter Notebook
• How to show (or hide) the Line Numbers in Jupyter Notebook
• How to show a PIL Image in Jupyter Notebook
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