Last modified: Apr 03, 2025 By Alexander Williams

How to Install Ray in Python Step by Step

Ray is a powerful framework for distributed computing in Python. It helps scale applications easily. This guide will show you how to install Ray step by step.

Prerequisites

Before installing Ray, ensure you have Python 3.6 or later. You can check your Python version using the following command:


python --version

If you don't have Python installed, download it from the official website. Also, ensure pip is up to date.

Install Ray Using pip

The easiest way to install Ray is using pip. Open your terminal or command prompt and run:


pip install ray

This command will download and install the latest version of Ray. Wait for the installation to complete.

Verify Ray Installation

After installation, verify Ray is installed correctly. Open a Python shell and run:

 
import ray
ray.init()

If no errors appear, Ray is installed successfully. You should see output like this:


2023-10-01 12:00:00 INFO services.py:1234 -- View the Ray dashboard at http://127.0.0.1:8265

Install Ray with Optional Dependencies

Ray offers optional dependencies for extra features. For example, install Ray with dashboard support:


pip install ray[default]

This includes tools like the Ray dashboard for monitoring.

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

If you encounter errors like ModuleNotFoundError, check our guide on how to solve ModuleNotFoundError. Common fixes include updating pip or reinstalling Ray.

Example: Run a Simple Ray Task

Test Ray by running a simple distributed task. Here’s an example:

 
import ray

# Initialize Ray
ray.init()

# Define a remote function
@ray.remote
def hello():
    return "Hello, Ray!"

# Call the function remotely
result = ray.get(hello.remote())
print(result)

The output should be:


Hello, Ray!

Conclusion

Installing Ray in Python is simple with pip. Follow these steps to set it up and verify it works. Ray enables powerful distributed computing for your projects.

For more advanced features, explore the Ray documentation. Happy coding!