How to Install `black` in Python

v26.3.1 CLI & Utilities Python >=3.10

The uncompromising code formatter.

Install pip install black

What is black?

The uncompromising code formatter.

Black is the uncompromising Python code formatter. By using it, you agree to cede control over minutiae of hand-formatting. In return, Black gives you speed, determinism, and freedom from nagging about formatting. You will save time and mental energy for more important matters.

Blackened code looks the same regardless of the project you're reading. Formatting becomes transparent after a while and you can focus on the content instead.

Black makes code review faster by producing the smallest diffs possible.

PyPI page → Author: Łukasz Langa <[email protected]>

Quick Start

Minimal example to get started with black:

import black

print(black.__version__)

Installation

pip (standard)

pip install black

Virtual environment (recommended)

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate   # Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install black

pip3

pip3 install black

conda

conda install -c conda-forge black

Poetry

poetry add black

Dependencies

Installing black will also install these packages:

click mypy-extensions packaging pathspec platformdirs pytokens tomli typing-extensions

Verify the Installation

After installing, confirm the package is available:

python -c "import black; print(black.__version__)"

If this prints a version number, installation succeeded. If you see a ModuleNotFoundError, see the errors section below.

Installation Errors

Common errors when installing black with pip.

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'black'

Cause: The package is not installed in the current Python environment.

Fix: Run pip install black. If using a virtual environment, ensure it is activated first.

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'black' (installed but still failing)

Cause: pip installed the package into a different Python than the one running your script.

Fix: Use python -m pip install black to install into the interpreter you are running.

ImportError: cannot import name 'X' from 'black'

Cause: The function or class does not exist in the installed version.

Fix: Check the version with pip show black and upgrade with pip install --upgrade black.

pip: command not found

Cause: pip is not in PATH or Python was not added to PATH during installation.

Fix: Try python -m pip install black. On macOS/Linux try pip3.

PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied

Cause: No write access to the system Python package directory.

Fix: Use a virtual environment, or add --user: pip install --user black

SSL: CERTIFICATE_VERIFY_FAILED

Cause: pip cannot verify PyPI's SSL certificate — common behind corporate proxies.

Fix: Try: pip install --trusted-host pypi.org --trusted-host files.pythonhosted.org black

Recent Releases

Version	Released
`26.3.1` latest	2026-03-12
`26.3.0`	2026-03-06
`26.1.0`	2026-01-18
`25.12.0`	2025-12-08
`26.1a1`	2025-12-08

Full release history on PyPI →

Manage black

Upgrade to latest version

pip install --upgrade black

Install a specific version

pip install black==26.3.1

Uninstall

pip uninstall black

Check what is installed

pip show black

Last updated: 2026-04-11 • Data from PyPI

How to Install black in Python