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How to Solve "ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'tqdm'" in Python

The error ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'tqdm' in Python means the tqdm library (used for progress bars) is not installed in the Python environment you're using.

This guide provides a complete guide to installing tqdm and resolving this common error.

Understanding the Error​

The ModuleNotFoundError indicates that when your code uses import tqdm (or from tqdm import ...), Python can't find a module named tqdm. This almost always means tqdm is not installed, or is not installed in the correct environment.

pip is Python's package installer. Use it to install tqdm:

Basic Installation​

Open your terminal (or command prompt/PowerShell on Windows) and run:

pip install tqdm

If you have multiple Python versions or pip refers to Python 2, use:

pip3 install tqdm # Use pip3 for python 3

Using python -m pip (If pip Isn't in Your PATH)​

If pip isn't found, use:

python -m pip install tqdm  # Use with your system's default Python
python3 -m pip install tqdm # Use with your system's python3

Windows-Specific Considerations (py launcher)​

On Windows, use the py launcher:

py -m pip install tqdm
  • The command py will execute using the latest version of Python.

Permissions Issues (sudo or --user)​

On Linux/macOS, you might need sudo for system-wide installation (virtual environments are strongly preferred):

sudo pip3 install tqdm # System wide
  • The sudo command gives you administrator privileges, and might be needed to install packages in the system.

Or, install into your user's site-packages:

pip install tqdm --user  # Install for current user only
  • The --user argument installs the package for the current user.

Always use virtual environments for Python projects:

Creating a Virtual Environment​

python3 -m venv venv  # Create an environment named "venv"
# OR: python -m venv venv
# OR: py -m venv venv (Windows)

Activating the Environment​

  • macOS / Linux:

    source venv/bin/activate

  • Windows (Command Prompt):

    venv\Scripts\activate.bat

  • Windows (PowerShell):

    venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

    You may also need to set the execution policy:

    Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

Your prompt will change (e.g., (venv)). pip install now installs only into this environment.

Installing tqdm Inside the Environment​

With the environment activated:

pip install tqdm

Troubleshooting​

If you still get the error:

  • IDE Configuration (VS Code, PyCharm): Your IDE might use a different interpreter.
    • VS Code: Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on macOS), "Python: Select Interpreter," choose your virtual environment.
    • PyCharm: File > Settings > Project > Python Interpreter (or PyCharm > Preferences > Project > Python Interpreter on macOS), select your environment.
  • Conflicting Installations/Multiple Python Versions: If you have multiple Python versions without virtual environments, you might have installed tqdm for the wrong one. Always use virtual environments.
  • Incorrect Filenames/Variable Names: Never name your files tqdm.py. Don't create a variable called tqdm before importing.
  • Restarting Your IDE/Kernel: Sometimes a restart is needed.
  • Reinstalling: 
    pip uninstall tqdm
    pip install tqdm

Using tqdm (Example)​

The example code shows how to use tqdm to display a progress bar.

from time import sleep
from tqdm import tqdm # Import tqdm

text = ""
for char in tqdm(["a", "b", "c", "d"]):
    sleep(0.25) # Sleep to simulate work.
    text = text + char
print(text)

Installing tqdm in Specific Environments​

  • Anaconda:

    conda install -c conda-forge tqdm

  • Jupyter Notebook:

    !pip install tqdm

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