packaging

Core utilities for Python packages

packaging Permissive license Apache-2.0 OR BSD-2-Clause Active ★ 746 v26.3 released 2026-08-04

Install

packaging on PyPI

pip

pip install packaging

uv

uv add packaging

poetry

poetry add packaging

Package facts

License	Apache-2.0 OR BSD-2-Clause (permissive)
Python support	supports the current Python release (>=3.9)
Install friction	low — pure-Python wheel
Runtime dependencies	none
Maintenance	actively maintained — 9 days since the last release
Last repo commit	2026-08-13
First released	2014-09-05
Popularity	one of the 100 most-downloaded packages on PyPI (30-day window, as of 2026-08-13)
Known vulnerabilities	none known (OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-13)

Evidence: packaging-26.3-py3-none-any.whl

Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersProgramming 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 :: 3.15Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Free Threading :: 4 - ResilientProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTyping :: Typed

About packaging

from the package's own PyPI description — quoted content, verbatim

packaging

.. start-intro

Reusable core utilities for various Python Packaging interoperability specifications <https://packaging.python.org/specifications/>_.

This library provides utilities that implement the interoperability specifications which have clearly one correct behaviour (eg: :pep:440) or benefit greatly from having a single shared implementation (eg: :pep:425).

.. end-intro

The packaging project includes the following: version handling, specifiers, markers, requirements, tags, metadata, lockfiles, utilities.

Documentation

The documentation_ provides information and the API for the following:

Version Handling
Specifiers
Markers
Licenses
Requirements
Metadata
Tags
Lockfiles (pylock)
Direct URL helpers
Dependency groups
Errors
Utilities

Installation

Use pip to install these utilities::

pip install packaging

The packaging library uses calendar-based versioning (YY.N).

Discussion

If you run into bugs, you can file them in our issue tracker_.

You can also join discussions on GitHub Discussions_ to ask questions or get involved.

.. _documentation:...

Read as markdown · JSON record · Source repository · Docs

AI interpretation — verify before relying

AI-generated interpretation of the package facts above; every digit, version, license, or vulnerability id it cites is grounded in the facts already shown on this page

Provides reusable core utilities for Python packaging interoperability, including version handling, specifiers, markers, requirements, tags, metadata, and lockfile support as specified in PEPs like 440 and 425.

Actively maintained with a release 9 days ago and last commit on 2026-08-13. Zero runtime dependencies and a pure-wheel distribution keep install friction minimal. Supports Python 3.9 through 3.15 and PyPy.

Dual-licensed under Apache-2.0 OR BSD-2-Clause, both permissive licenses allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions. Users may choose either license term.

Usage

pip install packaging

from packaging.version import Version
from packaging.specifiers import SpecifierSet

v = Version('26.3')
spec = SpecifierSet('>=26.0')
print(v in spec)

Requires Python 3.9 or later.

Verdict: A foundational, actively maintained library in the top 100 PyPI packages with zero vulnerabilities and no dependencies. Its permissive dual license and broad Python version support make it a low-risk choice for any project needing standards-compliant packaging utilities.

python version parsing and comparisonpep 440 version handlingpackage metadata utilitiesdependency specifiers and markerspython packaging standards