How Do I Install PyQtGraph? Full Setup Guide

How do I install PyQtGraph? If you’re working with real-time plotting or scientific visualization in Python, PyQtGraph is a powerful tool worth exploring. This guide walks you through multiple installation methods, dependencies, and troubleshooting tips to help you get started with PyQtGraph on any platform.

What Is PyQtGraph and Why Use It?

Before diving into how to install PyQtGraph, let’s understand what it is.

PyQtGraph is a pure Python graphics and GUI library built on top of PyQt / PySide and NumPy. It’s optimized for:

• Real-time plotting
• Interactive data visualization
• Scientific GUIs

Whether you’re working on a robotics dashboard, medical imaging system, or lab simulation, PyQtGraph provides high-speed rendering and flexibility with GUI components.

Prerequisites for Installing PyQtGraph

To successfully install PyQtGraph, you’ll need the following:

• Python 3.6+ (Python 3.8+ recommended)
• pip or conda package manager
• One of the supported Qt bindings:
  • PyQt5
  • PyQt6
  • PySide2
  • PySide6

You’ll also need:

• NumPy (automatically installed as a dependency)
• PyOpenGL (only if you want 3D/OpenGL support)

Ensure your environment has these prerequisites before proceeding.

How to Install PyQtGraph Using pip

This is the easiest and most recommended method.

Basic Installation:

bash
pip install pyqtgraph

This command installs PyQtGraph along with required dependencies like numpy.

Install with OpenGL Support:

bash
pip install pyqtgraph PyOpenGL

Make sure you also have a supported Qt binding:

bash
pip install PyQt5

This will automatically pull in the necessary dependencies including PyQt.

To install with OpenGL support:

bash
conda install -c conda-forge pyqtgraph pyopengl

Anaconda environments are useful for isolated project setups, especially in research environments.

Installing PyQtGraph from GitHub Source

For bleeding-edge features or contributing to the project, install from GitHub:

bash
git clone https://github.com/pyqtgraph/pyqtgraph.git
cd pyqtgraph
pip install .

Or install in editable mode for development:

bash
pip install -e .

This lets you make changes to the source and see live updates during testing.

Setting Up PyQt or PySide (Required Backends)

PyQtGraph does not bundle a Qt GUI binding — you need to install one separately.

Recommended:

bash
pip install PyQt5

If you’re unsure which to choose:

• PyQt5: More mature, extensive documentation
• PySide6: Official Qt support, more permissive license

PyQtGraph automatically detects whichever one is installed.

Verifying Your Installation

To verify that PyQtGraph was installed correctly, run the following:

bash
python -c "import pyqtgraph; print(pyqtgraph.__version__)"

You can also test the full GUI by launching its built-in demo:

bash
python -m pyqtgraph.examples

This will open a window with a list of demos try the Plotting and ImageView examples to confirm everything works.

First Example: Running a Sample Plot

Here’s a minimal example to test:

python
import pyqtgraph as pg
from pyqtgraph.Qt import QtWidgets
import numpy as np
import sys

app = QtWidgets.QApplication(sys.argv)
win = pg.plot()
x = np.linspace(0, 10, 1000)
y = np.sin(x)
win.plot(x, y, pen='r')
app.exec_()

This code:

• Initializes a Qt window
• Creates a simple sine wave plot
• Displays it with a red line

If you see a responsive plot window, your installation was successful!

Common Installation Errors and Fixes

Error: “No module named PyQt5”

Fix: Install a Qt binding:

bash
pip install PyQt5

Error: “Could not load any Qt bindings”

Fix: You likely have no Qt backend installed. Use PyQt5 or PySide6.

Error: OpenGL-related crashes

Fix: Ensure that PyOpenGL and GPU drivers are up to date:

bash
pip install PyOpenGL

Error: “No module named numpy”

Fix: Run:

bash
pip install numpy

Always create a fresh virtual environment when starting new projects to avoid conflicts.

OS-Specific Notes (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Windows:

• Use python -m pip instead of pip if there are PATH issues
• PyQtGraph works well with Anaconda and standard Python installs

macOS:

• Use brew install python3 to get the latest Python
• Virtual environments recommended to avoid system conflicts

Linux:

• May need sudo apt install python3-pyqt5 for system packages
• Otherwise use pip or conda for isolation

Always prefer using pip or conda within a virtual environment for portability.

Installing with OpenGL for 3D Support

If you want to use 3D features:

bash
pip install PyOpenGL

Then run:

bash
python -m pyqtgraph.opengl

To see the 3D examples (e.g., surface plots, scatter plots, mesh views). OpenGL acceleration can significantly improve rendering performance for complex visualizations.

Tips for Virtual Environments

Creating a virtual environment is best practice:

bash
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # Linux/macOS
venv\Scripts\activate     # Windows
pip install pyqtgraph PyQt5

Benefits:

• No system-wide conflicts
• Easy to remove/clone environments
• Clean and reproducible setups

IDE Integration and Plugin Support

PyCharm:

• Automatically detects PyQtGraph when installed via pip
• Built-in support for virtual environments
• Shows GUI previews in many cases

VS Code:

• Use the Python extension
• Use integrated terminal for installing and testing

Optional plugins:

• Qt Designer for visual layout
• Debuggers for real-time GUI updates

Conclusion

So, how do you install PyQtGraph? Whether you’re using pip, conda, or installing from source, the process is straightforward with the right prerequisites. PyQtGraph is a powerful library that shines in real-time applications, and once you’ve installed it correctly, the possibilities for interactive, scientific visualization are endless.

Now that you’re set up:

• Explore pyqtgraph.examples for inspiration
• Try building a small GUI with PyQt5 and live plots
• Dive into advanced topics like OpenGL and image processing