ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'matplotlib' in Python

# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'matplotlib' in Python

The Python "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'matplotlib'" occurs when we forget to install the matplotlib module before importing it or install it in an incorrect environment.

To solve the error, install the module by running the pip install matplotlib command.

Open your terminal in your project's root directory and install the matplotlib module.

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# 👇️ In a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install matplotlib
pip install matplotlib --user

# 👇️ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3 (could also be pip3.10 depending on your version)
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Using py alias (Windows)
py -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative for Debian (Ubuntu)
sudo apt-get install python3-matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative for Red Hat / CentOS
sudo yum install python3-matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative for Fedora
sudo dnf install python3-matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative for Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S python-matplotlib

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge matplotlib

# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install matplotlib

After you install the matplotlib package, try importing it as follows.

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import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

print(dir(plt))

# Common causes of the error

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

1. Not having the matplotlib package installed by running pip install matplotlib.
2. Installing the package in a different Python version than the one you're using.
3. Installing the package globally and not in your virtual environment.
4. Your IDE running an incorrect version of Python.
5. Naming your module matplotlib.py which would shadow the official module.
6. Declaring a variable named matplotlib which would shadow the imported variable.

If the error persists, get your Python version and make sure you are installing the package using the correct Python version.

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python --version

For example, my Python version is 3.10.4, so I would install the matplotlib package with pip3.10 install matplotlib.

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pip3.10 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error use pip3 (NOT pip3.X)
sudo pip3 install matplotlib

Notice that the version number corresponds to the version of pip I'm using.

If the PATH for pip is not set up on your machine, replace pip with python3 -m pip:

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# 👇️ Make sure to use your version of Python, e.g. 3.10
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

If the error persists, try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

# Check if the package is installed

You can check if you have the matplotlib package installed by running the pip show matplotlib command.

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# 👇️ Check if you have matplotlib installed
pip show matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip show matplotlib

The pip show matplotlib command will either state that the package is not installed or show a bunch of information about the package, including the location where the package is installed.

# Make sure your IDE is using the correct Python version

If the package is not installed, make sure your IDE is using the correct version of Python.

For example, In VSCode, you can press CTRL + Shift + P or (⌘ + Shift + P on Mac) to open the command palette.

Then type "Python select interpreter" in the field.

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

# Install the package in a Virtual Environment

If you are using a virtual environment, make sure you are installing matplotlib in your virtual environment and not globally.

You can try creating a virtual environment if you don't already have one.

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# 👇️ Use the correct version of Python when creating VENV
python3 -m venv venv

# 👇️ Activate on Unix or MacOS
source venv/bin/activate

# 👇️ Activate on Windows (cmd.exe)
venv\Scripts\activate.bat

# 👇️ Activate on Windows (PowerShell)
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# 👇️ Install matplotlib in your virtual environment
pip install matplotlib

If the python3 -m venv venv command doesn't work, try the following 2 commands:

• python -m venv venv
• py -m venv venv

Your virtual environment will use the version of Python that was used to create it.

You also shouldn't be declaring a variable named matplotlib as that would also shadow the original module.

# Try reinstalling the package

If the error is not resolved, try to uninstall the matplotlib package and then reinstall it.

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# 👇️ Check if you have matplotlib installed
pip show matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip show matplotlib

# 👇️ Uninstall matplotlib
pip uninstall matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip uninstall matplotlib

# 👇️ Install matplotlib
pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip install matplotlib

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

You can also try to upgrade the version of the matplotlib package.

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pip install matplotlib --upgrade

# 👇️ If you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip install matplotlib --upgrade

# Import "matplotlib" could not be resolved from source Pylance

The error "Import "matplotlib" could not be resolved from source Pylance" occurs when the matplotlib module is not installed or you have selected the incorrect Python interpreter in your IDE (e.g. Visual Studio Code).

To solve the error, install matplotlib and select the correct Python interpreter in your IDE.

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Import "matplotlib" could not be resolved from source Pylance(reportMissingModuleSource) [Ln 1, Col 8]
Import "matplotlib.pyplot" could not be resolved from source Pylance(reportMissingModuleSource) [Ln 1, Col 8]

# Make sure the correct Python interpreter is selected in your IDE

If you have multiple Python versions installed on your machine, you might have installed the matplotlib package using the incorrect version or your IDE might be set up to use a different version.

For example, In Visual Studio Code you can:

1. Press CTRL + Shift + P or (⌘ + Shift + P on macOS) to open the command palette.

Then type "Python select interpreter" in the search field.

2. Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

If the error persists, try restarting your IDE and development server/script. VSCode often glitches and a reboot resolves the issue.

If the error is not resolved, try to use the Visual Studio Code terminal to install the matplotlib module.

You can press CTRL + ` (Backtick) on your keyboard to open the Visual Studio code terminal.

Once you open the terminal, Visual Studio Code will automatically activate your virtual environment (if you have one).

Run the pip install matplotlib command.

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pip install matplotlib

If the error persists, try to select the Python interpreter by specifying the path:

1. Press CTRL + Shift + P or (⌘ + Shift + P on Mac) to open the command palette.
2. Type "Python select interpreter" in the field.

3. Select "Enter interpreter path...".

4. Click on "Find".

5. In the window that opens, navigate to your Python executable:

• If you have a virtual environment on Windows, click on your venv folder, then double-click on the Scripts folder, select the python.exe file and then Select interpreter.

• If you have a virtual environment on macOS or Linux, click on your venv folder, then double-click on the bin folder, select the python file and then Select interpreter.

• If you don't have a virtual environment, use one of the following commands to get your path to your python.exe or python executable, specify the path to the file and select the executable.

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where python

python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)"

If the error persists, try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

# Alternatively, use a comment to disable the warning

If none of the suggestions helped, you can use a comment to disable the Pylance warning in your IDE.

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import matplotlib  # type: ignore

print(matplotlib)

You simply have to add the # type: ignore command on the same line as the import statement to disable the check for the specific import.

# Table of Contents

1. Install matplotlib on Windows
2. Install matplotlib on macOS or Linux
3. Install matplotlib in Visual Studio Code
4. Install matplotlib in PyCharm
5. Install matplotlib in Anaconda
6. Install matplotlib in Jupyter Notebook

# Install matplotlib on Windows

To install the matplotlib module on Windows:

1. Type CMD in the search bar and open the Command Prompt application.
2. Type pip install matplotlib and press Enter.

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pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
pip install matplotlib --user

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge matplotlib

If the command doesn't succeed, try running CMD as an administrator.

If you get the error 'pip' is not recognized as an internal or external command, use the python -m command when installing matplotlib.

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python -m pip install matplotlib

python3 -m pip install matplotlib

py -m pip install matplotlib

Alternatively, you can install the matplotlib module in a virtual environment:

1. Open the root directory of your project.
2. Press Shift and right-click in Explorer.

3. Click on "Open PowerShell window here".
4. Run the following commands.

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# 👇️ Might also be: "python3 -m venv venv"
python -m venv venv

# 👇️ Activate on Windows (PowerShell)
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# 👇️ Activate on Windows (cmd.exe)
venv\Scripts\activate.bat

# 👇️ Install `matplotlib` in your virtual environment
pip install matplotlib

If the python -m venv venv command doesn't work, try the following 2 commands:

• python3 -m venv venv
• py -m venv venv.

If you see an error message that ps1 cannot be loaded because running scripts is disabled on this system, run the following command, type "yes" when prompted and rerun the activation command.

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Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

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pip show matplotlib
pip3 show matplotlib

python -m pip show matplotlib
python3 -m pip show matplotlib

The pip show matplotlib command will either state that the package is not installed or show a bunch of information about the package, including the location where the package is installed.

# Install matplotlib on macOS or Linux

To install matplotlib on macOS or Linux:

1. Search for "terminal" and start the application.
2. Type pip install matplotlib and press Enter.

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pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install matplotlib --user

# 👇️ Alternative for Debian (Ubuntu)
sudo apt-get install python3-matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative for Red Hat / CentOS
sudo yum install python3-matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative for Fedora
sudo dnf install python3-matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative for Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S python-matplotlib

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c conda-forge matplotlib

If you get an error that pip isn't found, use the python -m command.

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python -m pip install matplotlib

python3 -m pip install matplotlib

If you get a permissions error, prefix the command with sudo.

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sudo pip install matplotlib

sudo pip3 install matplotlib

Alternatively, you can install the matplotlib package in a virtual environment:

1. Open your terminal in the root directory of your project.
2. Run the following commands.

Copied!
# 👇️ Could also be "python -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

# 👇️ Activate virtual env on macOS or Linux
source venv/bin/activate

# 👇️ Install matplotlib in your virtual environment
pip install matplotlib

Your virtual environment will use the version of Python that was used to create it.

You can use the pip show command to verify matplotlib has been installed successfully.

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pip show matplotlib
pip3 show matplotlib

python -m pip show matplotlib
python3 -m pip show matplotlib

The pip show matplotlib command will either state that the package is not installed or show a bunch of information about the package.

# Install matplotlib in Visual Studio Code

To install matplotlib in Visual Studio Code:

1. Press CTRL + ` (Backtick) on your keyboard to open the terminal.
2. Run the pip install matplotlib command to install the matplotlib module.

Copied!
pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install matplotlib --user

When installing Python modules in Visual Studio code, make sure that your IDE is configured to use the correct Python version.

Press CTRL+Shift+P or (⌘ + Shift + P on Mac) to open the command palette.

Then type "Python select interpreter" in the field.

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

You can use the python --version command if you need to get your version of Python.

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python --version
python3 --version

You can also try creating a virtual environment if you don't already have one.

Copied!
# 👇️ Could also be "python -m venv venv" or "py -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

# 👇️ Activate on Unix or MacOS
source venv/bin/activate

# 👇️ Activate on Windows (cmd.exe)
venv\Scripts\activate.bat

# 👇️ Activate on Windows (PowerShell)
venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

# 👇️ Install matplotlib in your virtual environment
pip install matplotlib

Your virtual environment will use the version of Python that was used to create it.

# Install matplotlib in PyCharm

To install matplotlib in PyCharm:

1. Press Alt+F12 on your keyboard to open the terminal.
2. Run the pip install matplotlib command to install the matplotlib module.

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pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install matplotlib --user

Alternatively, you can use the IDE itself to install the module.

1. Click on "File" > "Settings" > "Project" > "Python Interpreter".
2. Click on the + icon and type matplotlib.
3. Click on "Install Package".

Click on "File" > "Settings" > "Project" > "Python Interpreter".

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

You can use the python --version command if you need to get your version of Python.

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python --version
python3 --version

# Install matplotlib in Anaconda

To install matplotlib in Anaconda:

1. Open your Anaconda Navigator.
2. Click on "Environments" and select your project.
3. Type matplotlib in the search bar to the right.
4. Tick the matplotlib package and click on "Apply".

Alternatively, you can install the matplotlib package with a command.

If you are on Windows, search for "Anaconda Prompt" and open the application.

If you are on macOS or Linux, open your terminal.

Run the following command to install the matplotlib package.

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# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c conda-forge matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install matplotlib --user

Click on the following article if you need to install a specific version of the package using Anaconda.

# Install matplotlib in Jupyter Notebook

To install matplotlib in Jupyter Notebook:

1. Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

2. Click on "New" and then "Terminal" in the browser tab.

3. Type pip install matplotlib and press Enter.

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# 👇️ Using pip
pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install matplotlib

# 👇️ If you don't have pip in your PATH environment variable
python -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install matplotlib

# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c conda-forge matplotlib

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
pip install matplotlib --user

Alternatively, you can use the Python ipykernel.

1. Open your terminal and type "jupyter notebook".

2. Click on "New" and then click on "Python 3 (ipykernel)".

3. Type !pip install matplotlib and click on "Run".

Note that the pip install command must be prefixed with an exclamation mark if you use this approach.

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!pip install matplotlib

Once you type the command, click "Run" to install the matplotlib module.

If you get a permissions error, e.g. "[WinError: 5] Access is denied", add the --user option to the installation command.

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!pip install matplotlib --user

If the error persists, try to restart the Jupyter Kernel and rerun the command.