python versions across linux distributions

published: August 3, 2025 โ€ข

overview

default python versions available in common linux docker base images as of august 2025.

you can always get specific versions from the python dockerhub, but if you are managing a family of images with shared base image, you might not be able to use those.

python versions table

Docker ImagePython VersionPip VersionInstallation Notes
ubuntu:25.103.13.525.1.1apt install python3 python3-pip
ubuntu:25.043.13.325.0apt install python3 python3-pip
ubuntu:24.043.12.324.0apt install python3 python3-pip
ubuntu:22.043.10.1222.0.2apt install python3 python3-pip
debian:trixie3.13.525.1.1apt install python3 python3-pip
debian:12 (bookworm)3.11.223.0.1apt install python3 python3-pip
debian:11 (bullseye)3.9.220.3.4apt install python3 python3-pip
alpine:3.223.12.1125.1.1apk add python3 py3-pip
alpine:3.213.12.1124.3.1apk add python3 py3-pip
alpine:3.203.12.1124.0apk add python3 py3-pip
alpine:3.193.11.1323.3.1apk add python3 py3-pip

key observations

  • ubuntu 25.10 and debian:trixie ship with the latest python 3.13.5
  • ubuntu 22.04 still on python 3.10 (lts stability)
  • debian 11 has the oldest python at 3.9.2
  • alpine consistently uses python 3.12.11 across recent versions (3.20-3.22)
  • alpine 3.19 uses older python 3.11.13
  • pip versions vary significantly, from 20.3.4 to 25.1.1

python 3.14 release schedule

python 3.14 is currently in release candidate phase (pep 745):

  • current status: release candidate 1 (july 22, 2025)
  • final release: october 7, 2025
  • end of life: october 2030

recommendations

  • for latest python (3.13.5): use ubuntu:25.10 or debian:trixie
  • for stable lts: use ubuntu:24.04 (python 3.12.3)
  • for minimal size: use alpine:3.22 (python 3.12.11)
  • avoid debian:11 if you need modern python features (only 3.9.2)
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