opencv-contrib-python
Wrapper package for OpenCV python bindings.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. opencv-contrib-python is actively maintained, widely used (top 5000 PyPI packages), has no known vulnerabilities, and offers permissive Apache 2.0 licensing. Install friction is moderate but manageable via pre-built wheels. Choose this over the base package only if you specifically need contrib modules; otherwise the smaller base package may suffice. Verify your platform has required system libraries before installing.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Windows users may need Visual C++ redistributable 2015 installed.
- Requires pip >= 19.3 to install manylinux2014 wheels.
- Do not install multiple opencv packages in the same environment.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache 2.0 (permissive) — Apache 2.0 permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions. You may use, modify, and distribute the package freely provided you include a copy of the license.
last release 2026-07-02 (43 days) · last repo commit 2026-07-28 · 5,349 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 9,312,352 downloads/mo, #1,548 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install opencv-contrib-python
import opencv_contrib_python
# Requires numpy as runtime dependency- What specific contrib modules are included and their use cases beyond core functionality
- Performance characteristics and whether contrib modules justify the larger package size
- Compatibility details on ARM-based systems beyond wheel availability
What it is and what it does
opencv-contrib-python is a Python wrapper around OpenCV's full feature set, including both core and contrib modules. It bundles pre-compiled OpenCV binaries as wheels, eliminating the need to build OpenCV separately. The package depends only on numpy and provides CPU-only processing. It supports Python 3.6 through 3.14 across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Developers use it for image and video processing, feature detection, object recognition, and machine learning on visual data. The contrib modules add specialized algorithms beyond the core library. Installation is straightforward via pip on supported platforms, though Windows users may need to install Visual C++ redistributables. The package is actively maintained with recent releases.
Use it for
- Image and video processing pipelines for frame extraction, filtering, and transformation
- Feature detection and matching for image alignment and panorama creation
- Object detection and tracking in images and video streams
- Image enhancement, filtering, and morphological operations for preprocessing
- Classical computer vision tasks using pre-built algorithm implementations
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
opencv-contrib-python is actively maintained, widely used (top 5000 PyPI packages), has no known vulnerabilities, and offers permissive Apache 2.0 licensing. Install friction is moderate but manageable via pre-built wheels. Choose this over the base package only if you specifically need contrib modules; otherwise the smaller base package may suffice. Verify your platform has required system libraries before installing.
Install
opencv-contrib-python on PyPI
Before you install
Pre-built wheels available for multiple platforms (macOS, Windows, Linux) with abi3 tags supporting Python 3.6+. Medium install friction due to compiled C++ bindings; Windows users may need Visual C++ redistributables. Active maintenance with release 43 days ago.
Windows users may need Visual C++ redistributable 2015 installed. Requires pip >= 19.3 to install manylinux2014 wheels. Do not install multiple opencv packages in the same environment.
License in practice
Apache 2.0 permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions. You may use, modify, and distribute the package freely provided you include a copy of the license.
Quickstart
pip install opencv-contrib-python
import opencv_contrib_python
# Requires numpy as runtime dependencyVerify before relying
- What specific contrib modules are included and their use cases beyond core functionality
- Performance characteristics and whether contrib modules justify the larger package size
- Compatibility details on ARM-based systems beyond wheel availability
Package facts
| License | Apache 2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.6 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 1 packagenumpy |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 43 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 9,312,352 / month, #1,548 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersIntended Audience :: EducationIntended Audience :: Information TechnologyIntended Audience :: Science/ResearchLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseOperating System :: MacOSOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXOperating System :: UnixProgramming Language :: C++Programming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.6Programming Language :: Python :: 3.7Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: Scientific/EngineeringTopic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Image RecognitionTopic :: Software Development |
Evidence: opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-macosx_13_0_arm64.whl; opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-macosx_14_0_x86_64.whl; opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux2014_aarch64.manylinux_2_17_aarch64.whl; opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-win32.whl; opencv_contrib_python-5.0.0.93-cp37-abi3-win_amd64.whl
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See also opencv-python-headless · opencv-contrib-python-headless · opencv-python · imutils · dlib · python-mpv · boost-histogram · pillow-heif · albucore · Willow