---
id: psycopg2
version: "2.9.12"
license: LGPL with exceptions
license_treatment: copyleft
maintenance: active
---

# psycopg2 — psycopg2 - Python-PostgreSQL Database Adapter

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

## Install

pip install psycopg2
uv add psycopg2
poetry add psycopg2

## Description

Psycopg is the most popular PostgreSQL database adapter for the Python
programming language.  Its main features are the complete implementation of
the Python DB API 2.0 specification and the thread safety (several threads can
share the same connection).  It was designed for heavily multi-threaded
applications that create and destroy lots of cursors and make a large number
of concurrent "INSERT"s or "UPDATE"s.

Psycopg 2 is mostly implemented in C as a libpq wrapper, resulting in being
both efficient and secure.  It features client-side and server-side cursors,
asynchronous communication and notifications, "COPY TO/COPY FROM" support.
Many Python types are supported out-of-the-box and adapted to matching
PostgreSQL data types; adaptation can be extended and customized thanks to a
flexible objects adaptation system.

Psycopg 2 is both Unicode and Python 3 friendly.

.. Note::

    The psycopg2 package is still widely used and actively maintained, but it
    is not expected to receive new features.

    `Psycopg 3`__ is the evolution of psycopg2 and is where `new features are
    being developed`__: if you are starting a new project you should probably...

## AI interpretation — verify before relying

PostgreSQL database adapter implementing the Python DB API 2.0 specification, with thread-safe connections, client and server-side cursors, and asynchronous communication support.

Verdict: Psycopg2 is a mature, production-grade PostgreSQL adapter in the top 1000 PyPI packages with no known vulnerabilities and active maintenance. Medium install friction is offset by prebuilt wheels and the option of psycopg2-binary. LGPL copyleft licensing requires review for proprietary use. The package is stable but feature-frozen; new projects should consider Psycopg 3.

[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/packages/psycopg2) · [View on PyPI](https://pypi.org/project/psycopg2/)