ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'skimage' in Python

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Borislav Hadzhiev

Last updated: Apr 8, 2024
10 min

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# ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'skimage' in Python

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

To solve the error, install the module by running the pip install scikit-image command.

no module named skimage

Open your terminal in your project's root directory and install the scikit-image module.

shell
# 👇️ In a virtual environment or using Python 2
pip install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error
pip3 install scikit-image --user

# 👇️ Alternative for if you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install scikit-image
pip install scikit-image --user

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

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

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda scikit-image

# 👇️ For Jupyter Notebook
!pip install scikit-image

After you install the scikit-image package, try importing it like:

main.py
import skimage

print(skimage.__version__)

The error occurs for multiple reasons:

  1. Not having the scikit-image package installed by running pip install scikit-image.
  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 skimage.py which would shadow the official module.
  6. Declaring a variable named skimage 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.

shell
python --version

get python version

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

shell
pip3.10 install scikit-image

# 👇️ If you get a permissions error use pip3 (NOT pip3.X)
pip3 install scikit-image --user

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:

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

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 scikit-image package installed by running the pip show scikit-image command.

shell
# 👇️ Check if you have scikit-image installed
pip show scikit-image

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

The pip show scikit-image 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.

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

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.

python select interpreter

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

select correct python version

Your IDE should be using the same version of Python (including the virtual environment) that you are using to install packages from your terminal.

# Install the package in a Virtual Environment

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

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

shell
# 👇️ 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 scikit-image in a virtual environment
pip install scikit-image

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.

If the error persists, make sure you haven't named a module in your project as skimage.py because that would shadow the original scikit-image module.

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

# Try reinstalling the package

If the error is not resolved, try to uninstall the scikit-image package and then install it.

shell
# 👇️ Check if you have scikit-image installed
pip show scikit-image

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

# 👇️ Uninstall scikit-image
pip uninstall scikit-image

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

# 👇️ Install scikit-image
pip install scikit-image

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

Try restarting your IDE and development server/script.

You can also try to upgrade the version of the scikit-image package.

shell
pip install scikit-image --upgrade

# 👇️ If you don't have pip set up in PATH
python -m pip install scikit-image --upgrade
If the error persists, follow the operating system-specific instructions on how to install scikit-image.

# Table of Contents

  1. Install scikit-image (skimage) on Windows
  2. Install scikit-image (skimage) on macOS or Linux
  3. Install scikit-image (skimage) in Visual Studio Code
  4. Install scikit-image (skimage) in PyCharm
  5. Install scikit-image (skimage) in Anaconda
  6. Install scikit-image (skimage) in Jupyter Notebook

# Install scikit-image (skimage) on Windows

To install the scikit-image module on Windows:

  1. Type CMD in the search bar and open the Command Prompt application.
  2. Type pip install scikit-image and press Enter.
cmd
pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda scikit-image

pip install scikit-image windows

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

Right-click on the search result, click on "Run as administrator" and run the pip install command.

run cmd as administrator

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

shell
python -m pip install scikit-image

python3 -m pip install scikit-image

py -m pip install scikit-image

Alternatively, you can install the scikit-image module in a virtual environment:

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

windows open powershell window here

  1. Click on "Open PowerShell window here".
  2. Run the following commands.
PowerShell
# 👇️ 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 `scikit-image` in your virtual environment
pip install scikit-image

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.

PowerShell
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
You can verify that the scikit-image module is installed by using the pip show scikit-image command.
PowerShell
pip show scikit-image
pip3 show scikit-image

python -m pip show scikit-image
python3 -m pip show scikit-image

The pip show scikit-image 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 scikit-image (skimage) on macOS or Linux

To install scikit-image on macOS or Linux:

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

search for terminal

terminal
pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ Alternative if you get your permissions error
sudo pip3 install scikit-image

# 👇️ For Anaconda
conda install -c anaconda scikit-image

macos linux install scikit-image

If you are on Debian (Ubuntu), make sure to install the build-essential package before installing scikit-image.

shell
sudo apt-get install build-essential

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

terminal
python -m pip install scikit-image

python3 -m pip install scikit-image

If you get a permissions error, add the --user option at the end of the command.

terminal
pip install scikit-image --user

pip3 install scikit-image --user

Alternatively, you can install the scikit-image package in a virtual environment:

  1. Open your terminal in the root directory of your project.
  2. Run the following commands.
shell
# 👇️ Could also be "python -m venv venv"
python3 -m venv venv

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

# 👇️ Install `scikit-image` in your virtual environment
pip install scikit-image

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

If the python3 -m venv venv command doesn't work, use python -m venv venv instead.

You can use the pip show command to verify scikit-image has been installed successfully.

shell
pip show scikit-image
pip3 show scikit-image

python -m pip show scikit-image
python3 -m pip show scikit-image

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

# Install scikit-image (skimage) in Visual Studio Code

To install scikit-image in Visual Studio Code:

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install scikit-image

vscode pip install scikit-image

You can also open the terminal in Visual Studio Code by pressing CTRL+Shift+P and then type "View: Toggle Terminal".

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.

python select interpreter

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

select correct python version

Your IDE should be using the same version of Python (including the virtual environment) that you are using to install packages from your terminal.

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

terminal
python --version
python3 --version

get python version

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

terminal
# 👇️ 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 scikit-image in your virtual environment
pip install scikit-image

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

# Install scikit-image (skimage) in PyCharm

To install scikit-image in PyCharm:

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install scikit-image

pycharm pip install scikit-image

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 scikit-image.
  3. Click on "Install Package".

pycharm interpreter install scikit-image

When installing Python modules in PyCharm, make sure that your IDE is configured to use the correct version of Python.

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

pycharm select correct interpreter

Then Select the correct Python version from the dropdown menu.

Your IDE should be using the same version of Python (including the virtual environment) that you are using to install packages from your terminal.

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

terminal
python --version
python3 --version

get python version

# Install scikit-image (skimage) in Anaconda

To install scikit-image in Anaconda:

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

anaconda navigator install package

Alternatively, you can install the scikit-image 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 scikit-image package.

shell
# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c anaconda scikit-image

# 👇️ Alternatively use `pip`
pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install scikit-image

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

# Install scikit-image (skimage) in Jupyter Notebook

To install scikit-image in Jupyter Notebook:

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

open jupyter notebook

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

jupyter notebook click new terminal

  1. Type pip install scikit-image and press Enter.
shell
# 👇️ Using pip
pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ For Python 3
pip3 install scikit-image

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

# 👇️ For Python 3
python3 -m pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ Using py alias
py -m pip install scikit-image

# 👇️ Using conda
conda install -c anaconda scikit-image

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

# 👇️ Alternative if you get a permissions error
sudo pip3 install scikit-image

Alternatively, you can use the Python ipykernel.

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

open jupyter notebook

  1. Click on "New" and then click on "Python 3 (ipykernel)". jupyter notebook click new ipykernel

  2. Type !pip install scikit-image and click on "Run".

jupyter notebook install module

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

shell
!pip install scikit-image

Once you type the command, click "Run" to install the scikit-image module.

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

shell
!pip install scikit-image --user

jupyter notebook install with user option

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

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