How to Install OpenCV on a Raspberry Pi

Here's how you can install OpenCV on your Raspberry Pi 3, 4, and Zero 2 W. This is straightforward and all it takes is some time and patience. Leave comment with a question if you have one or a request for a future tutorial.

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TIMESTAMPS and INSTRUCTIONS
0:00 Intro

0:13 Access the terminal of your Pi

0:34 Check if you're using all of your system memory with:
df -h
If you're not using most of it, run
sudo raspi-config
advanced -- expand filesystem
reboot your pi

1:19 Update and upgrade
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

1:35 Check your python version
python3 -V

sudo apt-get install python3-pip python3-virtualenv
mkdir project
cd project
python3 -m pip install virtualenv
python3 -m virtualenv env
source env/bin/activate

sudo apt install -y build-essential cmake pkg-config libjpeg-dev libtiff5-dev libpng-dev libavcodec-dev libavformat-dev libswscale-dev libv4l-dev libxvidcore-dev libx264-dev libfontconfig1-dev libcairo2-dev libgdk-pixbuf2.0-dev libpango1.0-dev libgtk2.0-dev libgtk-3-dev libatlas-base-dev gfortran libhdf5-dev libhdf5-serial-dev libhdf5-103 libqt5gui5 libqt5webkit5 libqt5test5 python3-pyqt5 python3-dev

If you're using a PiCamera run:
pip install "picamera[array]"
Users of PiCamera may also have to enable Camera Support:
sudo raspi-config
Inferface Options
Legacy Camera Support -- Enable

4:15 Install OpenCV
pip install opencv-contrib-python
--Takes a long time

5:25 Testing
python
import cv2
cv2.__version__

[okineedadonutnow]

I've been struggling to get open cv installed for a while, and this worked ! thank you so so much.

[prestonmcomber]

This is the best opencv installation video I have found to date! I have returned to it many times for my senior design project. Thanks for being clear and concise!

[ovidiumoise]

Flowless on Raspberry Pi 4 model B 4GB with Bookworm 64b. I tried about four different video tutorials but this is by far the best. Thank you, Sam!

[JM-bdmg]

Short and simple tutorial and it works for me. Highly recommended, very useful Love from Malaysia <3 (Raspberry pi 4B)

[lml]

Great and the best tutorial, after watching a lot of others tutorials i was tired. It really works without problems

[pademo]

Like Preston said this was the best installation video. Thanks so much. Yes! Please keep these videos coming!

[GiantSquidGamer]

incredible, i am sending this message on a raspberry pi. this is the best tutorial on youtube to get open cv.

[joeldizon]

Best tutorial ever for OpenCV installation on Raspberry Pi!

[kanishkalanka]

I m really appreciate your video because it is really helpful to install open cv in raspberry pi 3 old module. Thank for been clear precenting every thing.

[oooopppp]

Great video!
Thank you very much for the sharing. Good work and useful!

[nicknottage]

So glad I came across this tutorial. Super clear and straightforward. Thanks

[junetechon]

i spent an entire day staring at command prompt trying to get this working tysm

[Kirch_]

Thank you very much for this and for explaining each command!

[manuelcarriedo]

thank you very much for sharing this tutorial. very simple and clear explained. I am at the last part installing the openCV while I a m writing this comments, even if the installing process still continues I can see there are some errors popping up here and there. Since I am not the expert on this field, not sure if I should worry or not. I would like to ask you if this instructions apply either for Raspian 32 OS and Raspian 64 OS?

[mahmutsare]

Thank you very much. This video is so useful to setup.

[saraharbi]

Thank you, your channel is very helpful

[meander]

Hi Sam, which operating system should be installed on the raspberry pi? With Desktop or without?

Thank you for Video

[interestingengineering]

very straight forward and simple. please do a video on how to use it

[patxiplg]

This is what I consider the PERFECT tutorial. Thank you a ton. Subscribed!

[nathalylozano]

After 3 days of trying to install opencv, reseating my raspberry multiple times, and following every single tutorial, your videos are the only ones that work for me. Thank you so muchhhh!