Software engineering

How long does it take to learn Python

You are probably wondering how long does it take to learn Python? The answer can be anywhere from 2 to 6 months. The exact time depends on a couple of factors.

July 4, 2023

9 minutes

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How long does it take to learn Python

A desk with laptop and a plant on it. Across a laptop screen there is code.

If you are new to programming, you are probably wondering how long does it take to learn Python. It can take anything from 2 to 6 months. The answer can vary. This is because you need to take some factors into consideration.

That’s your previous skill set, knowledge, and time you have. With more devotion and patience comes faster learning. We will explain a couple of things on how to learn Python fastest and most efficiently. Let’s start. 

Is learning Python worth it in 2023

Before we move on to the practical side of how to learn Python, let’s explain a few things. Python is worth learning in 2023. Python is a programming language that has been around for almost three decades. And its popularity is growing by the day. Thus, the future of Python is very bright. 

Python is a language that will stay for many years. This is because of its diversity and simplicity. But also its rising demand. It is also one of the simplest programming languages to learn. You can use it in every area of software development, including:

  • Machine learning (ML);
  • Data Science;
  • Artificial intelligence (AI);
  • Web development, and many more.

It's a great skill to learn. This is thanks to Python’s high demand, great salaries, and various resources available. Also, you are never too old to learn. So, if you've been thinking about learning to code, now is the moment.

Why should I learn Python?

A man, a developer, holding a sticky note with Python written on it in the office, surrounded by the computers and programming codes behind him.

Here are a couple of main reasons why you should learn Python.

1. Easy to learn

If you want to become a developer but don’t know what programming language to choose, choose Python. Python is great for beginners. It is super easy to use and understand. Even for those who have no experience at all. It has a simple syntax. It is very versatile and readable. Perfect for beginners.

2. Extremely popular language 

Python is the second most popular language in the world, according to GitHub. This means that any firm, at some point, uses Python. This is because Python is extremely versatile. This makes this programing language perfect for anything. Also, a great Python community can help you with anything. From job seeking to resolve coding problems. 

3. Automate tasks 

Python is a diverse programming language. It has something for everyone. You can use it for any kind of app. Once you learn Python, you will be able to 

  • Work with large datasets with ease
  • Access APIs and scrape data from the web
  • Use it to enhance your Excel work
  • Automate any chores


Learning to automate tasks on your own will be very beneficial. This is because you can save a lot of your time. Allow the robots to send emails and retrieve data from the internet. 

4. Great career opportunities 

Python developers are in high demand. Especially in the data science industry. Data science is a rewarding field that pays well. These job positions are also available for remote work. This means that you can work for the best US companies from anywhere. 

Aside from data science, you can also work as:

  • Artificial Intelligence engineer
  • Machine learning engineer
  • Web developer
  • DevOps Engineer
  • Research analysis and many more.

Whichever position you choose, all these Python jobs are extremely lucrative.

Is it difficult to learn Python?

As we mentioned above. Python is one of the simplest programming languages to learn. This is because Python is interpreted language. Interpreted means that you can use each code once you finish writing it. This means that you can immediately check your code. And even change it if it's needed.

This is a great feature for beginners. You might make a lot of mistakes in the beginning. The opportunity to check each code is perfect for learning. Also, Python has a very simple syntax. These are all great features for newbies. It will make their learning path much easier.

Is Python in high demand?

Yes, Python developers are in demand. Here are a couple of reasons why.

Python is extremely popular in all industries. You can use Python in various fields, including 

  • Web development
  • Data Science
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Machine learning 
  • Finance
  • Education
  • Research
  • Security

With Python knowledge and skills, you can become

  • Software Engineer
  • DevOps Engineer
  • Data Scientist
  • Data Engineer
  • Research Analyst
  • Full Stack Developer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Product Manager

According to GitHub, Python remains in the second place of the most popular programming language. To be precise, it has an increase of 22% per year.  This is because it is super versatile. Thus, a Python developer career is a great choice! 

How long does it take to learn Python for work?

You can learn Python from 2 to 6 months. But the exact time will depend on the following factors:

  • Your previous programming experience
  • Your skills
  • Your time and devotion 

Take a look at some of the online courses. For instance, Coursera. Their beginner Python courses usually last four months to finish. This means that you will need to study six hours per week. But if you have more time, like 2 hours a day, you can finish the course in 2 months. 

This is some approximate time for learning the basics of Python. But mastering this language can last. This is due to the fact that Python has many libraries. Libraries are sets of useful functions that make coding easier. 

Since there are maybe hundreds of them, you will need more time to master them. Also, new libraries are constantly developing. Ensure to check and learn those as well. 

How to start learning Python

A person working and coding on its laptop, at home, writing codes, programming on the dimmer light.

There are many ways to start learning Python. Here are some of them.

  • Attend to University
  • Go to Bootcamps
  • Take online courses
  • Watch YouTube videos and tutorials
  • Read Python books

You don’t need to opt for one. Combine a couple of them. Choose the ones that suit your needs the best. But also your learning style. Here are a couple of more tips on how to start learning Python.

Start with basics 

No matter how you want to use Python in the future, you should start with the basics. Learning the basics will set you up for success. Especially when you develop complicated apps. Whether you're learning on your own or in a class, make sure you cover the foundations.

Practice everyday

To learn Python, you need to practice. Constant repetition is a way to remember things. Make time every day to practice coding. Even if it's only for 15 minutes. You can do that with many online YouTube videos and any online Python courses.

Here are some of them:

  • Coursera - Programming for everybody 
  • Udemy - Learn Python
  • edX - Introduction to programming with Python

All these courses are divided into short video lectures. They also have quizzes and coding practice tasks. This form of learning can help you organize your time. You can always stop and continue the course as you wish. It also helps you in learning more effectively. Microlearning, or learning in little bits, promotes retention and interest.

Join a Python community 

Surround yourself with other Python developers. This can raise your motivation. You can also ask for help, share your ideas and methods, and work with other developers. This is a great way of learning and sharing. But also advancing your skills.  

You can find some of the best Python communities on the following sites:

  • Quora
  • Reddit
  • PySlackers on Slack
  • Python Discord 

Allow your objective to direct your learning

Once you know the basics, you can dive a bit deeper. As you advance, you need to understand your goal. What kind of Python developer do you want to be? Let that rule guide your learning path. 

For instance, you're training for a new job as a data analyst. This means that you'll want to master Python skills like data scraping and visualization. But if you want to be a developer, you should focus on skills like version control and multi-process architecture.

Can I learn Python on my own?

Yes, you can learn Python on your own. This might influence the amount of time you need for learning. But you can do it. Many free online courses, videos, and other interactive tools are available. All of them are mentioned above. These tools can help you learn programming with ease.

Another advantage of Python is the Python developer community. It is very large and very helpful. Don't be afraid to ask a fellow developer online for help. This includes anything from Python basics to seeking career advice.

Can we learn Python in 7 days?

In 7 days, you can get started with Python. But, you cannot learn it. To learn the basics of Python, you will need from 2 to 6 months. The exact time will depend on your skills, devotion, and available time. 

Can I learn Python without any programming experience?

Yes, you can learn Python without any programming experience. In fact, many developers had no experience before becoming Python experts. But, having basic knowledge of other languages can only speed up the learning process. 

Also, Python is the easiest programming language. Thus, having no experience will not be a problem. It will be the perfect language for you to get started. This is all thanks to Python’s flexibility, usability, and easiness. 

Should I learn Python 2 or Python 3?

You should learn Python 3. This is because Python 3 is in high demand. Python 2 has some outdated syntax. That’s why Python 3 is more popular. Also, Python 2 is no longer supported. It also won’t allow you to fix any vulnerable security problems. You should learn the newest version of Python. And that is Python 3. 

In conclusion 

Python is the second most popular language in the world. It is also the easiest one to learn. Especially if you are a beginner. But how long does it take to learn Python? We would say somewhere between 2 to 6 months. The exact time will depend on a few factors.

Those factors are your previous experience, your skills in understanding Python, and your available time. If you have more available time, you will learn faster. Python is a great career opportunity. Thus, read these tips on how to learn it and start your lucrative Python career today.

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