---
id: llvmlite
version: "0.49.0"
license: BSD-2-Clause AND Apache-2.0 WITH LLVM-exception
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# llvmlite — lightweight wrapper around basic LLVM functionality

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Popularity: top 1,000 on PyPI

## Install

pip install llvmlite
uv add llvmlite
poetry add llvmlite

## Description

========
llvmlite
========

.. image:: https://dev.azure.com/numba/numba/_apis/build/status/numba.llvmlite?branchName=main
   :target: https://dev.azure.com/numba/numba/_build/latest?definitionId=2&branchName=main
   :alt: Azure Pipelines
.. image:: https://coveralls.io/repos/github/numba/llvmlite/badge.svg
   :target: https://coveralls.io/github/numba/llvmlite
   :alt: Coveralls.io
.. image:: https://readthedocs.org/projects/llvmlite/badge/
   :target: https://llvmlite.readthedocs.io
   :alt: Readthedocs.io

A Lightweight LLVM Python Binding for Writing JIT Compilers
-----------------------------------------------------------

.. _llvmpy: https://github.com/llvmpy/llvmpy

llvmlite is a project originally tailored for Numba_'s needs, using the
following approach:

* A small C wrapper around the parts of the LLVM C++ API we need that are
  not already exposed by the LLVM C API.
* A ctypes Python wrapper around the C API.
* A pure Python implementation of the subset of the LLVM IR builder that we
  need for Numba.

Why llvmlite
============

The old llvmpy_  binding exposes a lot of LLVM APIs but the mapping of
C++-style memory management to Python is error prone. Numba_ and many...

## AI interpretation — verify before relying

llvmlite provides a lightweight Python binding to LLVM's core APIs for building JIT compilers, exposing an IR builder, optimizer, and compiler interface without requiring direct C++ interaction.

Verdict: llvmlite is a well-maintained, actively developed binding for LLVM IR generation and JIT compilation. Its permissive dual license, zero known vulnerabilities, broad platform coverage, and active maintenance make it a solid choice for projects requiring low-level code generation. The medium install friction is offset by pre-built wheels and clear LLVM version requirements.

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/llvmlite) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/llvmlite/)