pyglm
OpenGL Mathematics library for Python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you are building graphics or physics applications in Python and need fast, GLM-compatible math operations. The permissive license, zero runtime dependencies, and broad platform support make it low-friction to adopt. The aging maintenance status (261 days since release) is a minor concern but not a blocker for stable, well-established functionality. Verify that the specific GLM features you need are supported (some experimental extensions are not).AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Medium install friction due to compiled wheels; however, prebuilt binaries are available for Python 3.9–3.14 across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Last release was 261 days ago; repository is not archived but maintenance appears aging.
License · maintenance · safety
Zlib (permissive) — Licensed under Zlib (permissive). The package documentation explicitly requires including the COPYING file in projects using PyGLM, particularly for binary distributions—a distribution obligation that is lighter than copyleft but still requires active compliance.
last release 2025-11-26 (261 days) · last repo commit 2025-12-09 · 241 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 304,484 downloads/mo, #7,804 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pyglm
from pyglm import glm
v1 = glm.vec3(1, 2, 3)
v2 = glm.vec3(4, 5, 6)
result = glm.cross(v1, v2)
print(result)- Whether the aging maintenance status (261 days since last release) affects stability or feature completeness for current graphics APIs
- Performance comparison claims to NumPy are mentioned in the description but specific benchmarks are not provided in the fact sheet
What it is and what it does
PyGLM is a Python extension written in C++ that wraps the GLM (OpenGL Mathematics) library, bringing high-performance vector and matrix operations to Python. It provides types like vec2, vec3, vec4, mat2, mat3, mat4, and quaternions, along with functions for geometric operations (cross product, dot product, rotation, perspective transforms) commonly needed in graphics pipelines, physics engines, and 3D applications. The library is designed to be mostly compatible with GLM's C++ API, adapted for Python syntax (using periods instead of double colons for namespacing).
PyGLM supports the buffer protocol, making it interoperable with NumPy arrays and other buffer-compatible objects. It ships with prebuilt wheels for modern Python versions (3.9–3.14) on Windows, macOS, and Linux, reducing installation friction. The package includes typing stubs for IDE support and is marked as Production/Stable, though the last release was several months ago. It has no runtime dependencies, keeping the installation lightweight.
Use it for
- Building OpenGL or DirectX rendering pipelines where you need fast matrix transformations and vector math
- Physics simulations requiring quaternion rotations, cross products, and dot products for collision detection
- 3D graphics applications needing perspective and view matrix calculations for camera control
- Game engines or graphics tools where performance-critical math operations must run faster than NumPy equivalents
- Converting between graphics library APIs (e.g., passing GLM matrices to OpenGL via ctypes pointers)
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you are building graphics or physics applications in Python and need fast, GLM-compatible math operations.
The permissive license, zero runtime dependencies, and broad platform support make it low-friction to adopt. The aging maintenance status (261 days since release) is a minor concern but not a blocker for stable, well-established functionality. Verify that the specific GLM features you need are supported (some experimental extensions are not).
Install
pyglm on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled wheels; however, prebuilt binaries are available for Python 3.9–3.14 across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Last release was 261 days ago; repository is not archived but maintenance appears aging.
License in practice
Licensed under Zlib (permissive). The package documentation explicitly requires including the COPYING file in projects using PyGLM, particularly for binary distributions—a distribution obligation that is lighter than copyleft but still requires active compliance.
Quickstart
pip install pyglm
from pyglm import glm
v1 = glm.vec3(1, 2, 3)
v2 = glm.vec3(4, 5, 6)
result = glm.cross(v1, v2)
print(result)Verify before relying
- Whether the aging maintenance status (261 days since last release) affects stability or feature completeness for current graphics APIs
- Performance comparison claims to NumPy are mentioned in the description but specific benchmarks are not provided in the fact sheet
Package facts
| License | Zlib permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Aging 261 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 304,484 / month, #7,804 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/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: zlib/libpng LicenseOperating System :: MacOSOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming 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 :: 3.9Topic :: Multimedia :: GraphicsTopic :: Scientific/Engineering :: PhysicsTopic :: Software Development :: LibrariesTyping :: Typed |
Evidence: pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-manylinux2014_aarch64.manylinux_2_17_aarch64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_34_aarch64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_34_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp310-cp310-win_arm64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-manylinux2014_aarch64.manylinux_2_17_aarch64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-manylinux2014_x86_64.manylinux_2_17_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_34_aarch64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_34_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_aarch64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-musllinux_1_2_x86_64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; pyglm-2.8.3-cp311-cp311-win_arm64.whl
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