I've downloaded pygame-1.9.1release.tar.gz from the Pygame website. I extracted and installed it and it's working fine in the command line Python interpreter in Terminal (Ubuntu). But I want to install it for some IDE, like PyCharm. How can I do it?


Well, you don't have to download it for PyCharm here. You probably know how it checks your code. Through the interpreter! You don't need to use complex command lines or anything like that. You need to is:

  • Download the appropriate interpreter with PyGame included

  • Open your PyCharm IDE (Make sure it is up to date)

  • Go to File

  • Press Settings (Or Ctrl + Alt + S)

  • Double click on the option that looks like Project: Name_of_Project

  • Click on Project Interpreter

  • Choose the interpreter you want to use that includes PyGame as a module

  • Save your options

And you are ready to go! Here is an alternate (I have never done this, please try to test it)

  • Add PyGame in the same folder as your PyCharm file (Your PyCharm stuff is always in a specific file placed by you during installation/upgrade) Please consider putting your PyCharm stuff inside a folder for easy access.

I hope this helps you!


For PyCharm 2017 do the following:

  • File - Settings
  • Double click on your project name
  • Select Project Interpreter
  • Click on green + button on the right side of the window
  • Type Pygame in search window
  • Click Install package.

Not I'm saying that the answers above won't work, but it might be frustrating to a newbie to do command line magic.