What should I do next to properly install OpenCV using `pip install cv2`?

General Discussions
1

How do I install OpenCV using pip (pip install cv2)?

I need to install cv2 for a script, but when I try pip install cv2 or pip install open_cv, I get errors about missing dependencies like zlib. I also tried pip install pyopencv and pip install opencv-python, but nothing worked.

I then downloaded the OpenCV installer from the official site, but it generated multiple subdirectories and a makefile.

2

Instead of pip install cv2, use opencv-python, which is the correct package name:

pip install opencv-python

This installs OpenCV without extra dependencies like GUI support.

:small_blue_diamond: Verify Installation

After installation, check if OpenCV is working:

import cv2 print(cv2.version)

3

If you need additional OpenCV functionalities like SIFT, SURF, and other extra modules, install:

:one: For minimal installation (no GUI support, good for servers)

pip install opencv-python-headless

:two: For extra functionalities like SIFT, SURF, and non-free modules pip install opencv-contrib-python

4

If pip install cv2 and the above solutions don’t work, manually compiling OpenCV ensures maximum compatibility.

Steps to Build OpenCV from Source:

1. Install Dependencies:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install cmake g++ python3-dev python3-numpy

2. Clone the OpenCV repository:

    git clone https://github.com/opencv/opencv.git
    cd opencv

3. Build and install OpenCV:

mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
make -j4
sudo make install

4. Verify the installation:

import cv2
print(cv2.__version__)