nanobind
nanobind: tiny and efficient C++/Python bindings
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need to bind C++ code to Python. The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, installs with low friction, and offers a permissive license. The efficiency claims relative to pybind11 are significant enough to justify trying it for performance-critical bindings, though you should verify those claims match your specific use case.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires a C++ compiler and build toolchain to compile C++ code being wrapped; the wheel itself installs without compilation.
- Low friction: ships as a pre-built wheel.
- Actively maintained with a release 7 days ago and 3668 repository stars.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — Permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
last release 2026-08-07 (7 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-12 · 3,668 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 4,225,726 downloads/mo, #2,358 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install nanobind==2.14.0
import nanobind as nb
# Use nanobind to wrap C++ code in Python bindings- Exact performance multipliers (4×, 5×, 10×) claimed in description against pybind11 and Cython—whether these hold across typical use cases
- Whether nanobind supports all C++ standards and features that pybind11 or Cython cover, or if there are known gaps
What it is and what it does
nanobind is a C++/Python binding library designed to expose C++ types and functions in Python with minimal overhead. It follows syntax similar to Boost.Python and pybind11, making it familiar to developers who have used those tools. The core value proposition is efficiency: the description reports faster compilation times, smaller compiled binaries, and lower runtime performance penalties compared to pybind11 and Cython.
You use nanobind when you need to call C++ code from Python or wrap C++ libraries for Python consumption. It is a build-time tool—you write binding code that nanobind processes to generate Python-callable wrappers around your C++ components. The package itself installs without friction as a pre-built wheel, though actually using it requires a C++ compiler and build environment to compile your bindings.
Use it for
- Wrap existing C++ libraries to make them callable from Python without rewriting them
- Build high-performance Python extensions in C++ where pure Python is too slow
- Create Python bindings for scientific or numerical C++ code with minimal runtime overhead
- Integrate C++ game engines, graphics libraries, or real-time systems with Python applications
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need to bind C++ code to Python.
The package is actively maintained, has no known vulnerabilities, installs with low friction, and offers a permissive license. The efficiency claims relative to pybind11 are significant enough to justify trying it for performance-critical bindings, though you should verify those claims match your specific use case.
Install
nanobind on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction: ships as a pre-built wheel. Actively maintained with a release 7 days ago and 3668 repository stars.
Requires a C++ compiler and build toolchain to compile C++ code being wrapped; the wheel itself installs without compilation.
License in practice
Permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install nanobind==2.14.0
import nanobind as nb
# Use nanobind to wrap C++ code in Python bindingsVerify before relying
- Exact performance multipliers (4×, 5×, 10×) claimed in description against pybind11 and Cython—whether these hold across typical use cases
- Whether nanobind supports all C++ standards and features that pybind11 or Cython cover, or if there are known gaps
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 7 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 4,225,726 / month, #2,358 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Intended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseProgramming Language :: C++Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python ModulesTopic :: Utilities |
Evidence: nanobind-2.14.0-py3-none-any.whl
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