python-gdcm
Grassroots DICOM runtime libraries
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. python-gdcm is actively maintained, has no security vulnerabilities, supports current Python versions (3.9–3.13), and offers pre-built wheels that minimize install friction. The Apache-2.0 license is permissive. Install it if you need to work with DICOM medical images in Python; the C++ bindings are mature and the library is production-stable.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.7 or later; building from source requires CMake, SWIG, a C++ compiler, and patchelf on Linux.
- Medium install friction due to compiled C++ bindings; pre-built wheels available for Python 3.9–3.13 on Linux (x86_64, aarch64), macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), and Windows.
- Last release 95 days ago; repository actively maintained with recent commits.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache-2.0 (permissive) — Apache-2.0 permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects.
last release 2026-05-11 (95 days) · last repo commit 2026-05-11 · 22 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 560,999 downloads/mo, #6,000 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install python-gdcm
import gdcm
reader = gdcm.ImageReader()
reader.SetFileName("dicom_image_file.dcm")
ret = reader.Read()- Performance characteristics and memory footprint for large DICOM datasets or batch processing workflows.
- Completeness of DICOM standard support beyond the stated transfer syntaxes and Parts 3, 6, 7.
- Stability and API compatibility across minor versions; changelog detail for recent updates.
What it is and what it does
python-gdcm is an unofficial Python binding for GDCM, a mature C++ library for working with DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files—the standard format for medical imaging data. It lets you read, write, and manipulate DICOM datasets programmatically, handling multiple compression and encoding schemes (JPEG, JPEG 2000, JPEG-LS, RLE, deflated) and providing access to the DICOM standard definitions as XML.
The package is distributed as pre-compiled wheels for Python 3.9–3.13 across Linux, macOS, and Windows, eliminating the need to build from source in most cases. It has no runtime dependencies beyond the Python standard library, making it straightforward to integrate into medical imaging pipelines, research workflows, or healthcare IT systems that need to parse or generate DICOM files.
Use it for
- Read and extract pixel data and metadata from DICOM medical images in automated workflows.
- Convert DICOM files between different transfer syntaxes or compression formats for interoperability.
- Build medical imaging applications that need to validate or manipulate DICOM datasets programmatically.
- Integrate DICOM file handling into research or clinical data processing pipelines.
- Access DICOM standard definitions (Parts 3, 6, 7) as XML for validation or reference.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
python-gdcm is actively maintained, has no security vulnerabilities, supports current Python versions (3.9–3.13), and offers pre-built wheels that minimize install friction. The Apache-2.0 license is permissive. Install it if you need to work with DICOM medical images in Python; the C++ bindings are mature and the library is production-stable.
Install
python-gdcm on PyPI
Before you install
Medium install friction due to compiled C++ bindings; pre-built wheels available for Python 3.9–3.13 on Linux (x86_64, aarch64), macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), and Windows. Last release 95 days ago; repository actively maintained with recent commits.
Requires Python 3.7 or later; building from source requires CMake, SWIG, a C++ compiler, and patchelf on Linux.
License in practice
Apache-2.0 permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions; suitable for most projects.
Quickstart
pip install python-gdcm
import gdcm
reader = gdcm.ImageReader()
reader.SetFileName("dicom_image_file.dcm")
ret = reader.Read()Verify before relying
- Performance characteristics and memory footprint for large DICOM datasets or batch processing workflows.
- Completeness of DICOM standard support beyond the stated transfer syntaxes and Parts 3, 6, 7.
- Stability and API compatibility across minor versions; changelog detail for recent updates.
Package facts
| License | Apache-2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.7 |
| Install friction | Medium. Platform-specific wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 95 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 560,999 / month, #6,000 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 :: Science/ResearchLicense :: OSI Approved :: Apache Software LicenseOperating System :: MacOSOperating System :: Microsoft :: WindowsOperating System :: POSIXOperating System :: UnixProgramming Language :: CProgramming 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 :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonTopic :: Scientific/Engineering |
Evidence: python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp310-cp310-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp310-cp310-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp310-cp310-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp310-cp310-win_amd64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp311-cp311-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp311-cp311-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp311-cp311-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp311-cp311-win_amd64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp312-cp312-macosx_10_13_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp312-cp312-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp312-cp312-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp312-cp312-win_amd64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp313-cp313-macosx_10_13_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp313-cp313-macosx_11_0_arm64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp313-cp313-manylinux_2_27_aarch64.manylinux_2_28_aarch64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp313-cp313-manylinux_2_27_x86_64.manylinux_2_28_x86_64.whl; python_gdcm-3.2.6-cp313-cp313-win_amd64.whl
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See also pydicom · pylibjpeg · dicom2nifti · highdicom · pylibjpeg-libjpeg · dicomweb-client · pylibjpeg-openjpeg · GDAL · itk-io · ihm