About Us
Real Python is a leading provider of online Python education and one of the largest language-specific online communities for software developers.
We publish high-quality learning resources, such as tutorials, books, and courses to an audience of 1M+ developers, data scientists, and machine learning engineers each month.
What Makes Real Python Special?
Think of Real Python as a “gym for Pythonistas” where we’ll help you grow your skills deeper over time.
Instead of wasting hours hunting for the right YouTube tutorial, boring yourself with courses of questionable quality, or begging for help on Reddit, Real Python members level up their skills quickly and effectively with curated resources that are always up to date.
Our learn-by-doing approach supports Pythonistas of any skill level:
- Beginners start with fundamentals through hands-on projects
- Intermediate developers tackle real-world challenges and best practices
- Advanced practitioners dive deep into performance, architecture, and specialized topics
Along every step of the way, we’ll help you learn, practice, assess your progress, and apply your newfound skills to solve real-world problems.
More about our teaching philosophy →
Our Story
Real Python began with a simple mission: to create the Python resource we wished we’d had when we were learning.
In 2012, when Python was still emerging as a mainstream programming language, Michael Herman, Fletcher Heisler, and Jeremy Johnson launched a Kickstarter campaign to create a book that taught Python differently. Not through abstract concepts or dry theory, but through practical, hands-on projects that solved real problems.
The campaign struck a chord. Programmers were hungry for a resource that bridged the gap between learning syntax and building real applications. The original Real Python Course was born, and with it, a philosophy that continues to guide us today: learning to code is best done by coding.
A Fresh Chapter
By 2017, the Real Python website had become a valuable resource with loyal followers, but it needed a new vision to reach its full potential.
That’s when Dan Bader, author of the popular Python Tricks book and a passionate Python educator, acquired Real Python with a clear goal: to transform it into the most comprehensive, high-quality Python learning resource available anywhere.
“I saw a community of passionate learners and an opportunity to build something special,” Dan recalls. “The Python world needed a learning platform that respected people’s time and intelligence […] An environment that could take someone from beginner to professional with consistent, top-notch quality at every step.”
Building a Different Kind of Learning Platform
We didn’t just want more content, we wanted better content. Under Dan’s leadership, we established a rigorous development process that makes Real Python tutorials different:
- Every tutorial passes through expert technical review to ensure accuracy
- Our teaching specialists evaluate each piece for learning effectiveness
- Professional editors refine language and presentation
- Custom artwork makes complex concepts visually clear
Behind these standards is a simple belief: you deserve the best possible resources for your learning journey.
Beyond the Tutorial
By 2019, we realized that different people learn in different ways, so we expanded into video courses with the same commitment to quality and practical learning. Our approach of breaking complex topics into 3-5 minute lessons proved immediately popular with busy professionals looking to advance their skills incrementally.
In March 2020, we launched the Real Python Podcast, bringing Python discussions, news, and interviews to listeners worldwide.
Around the same time, we introduced weekly Office Hours and a 24/7 Community Chat, creating spaces where Pythonistas could connect, share challenges, and celebrate wins together.
Growing Together
What began as a book has blossomed into a vibrant community of Python enthusiasts at all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals.
Our learning paths now guide you through carefully sequenced resources toward specific goals. Our reference materials provide quick answers when you need them.
Our books, including the completely updated Python Basics and the specialized CPython Internals (recommended by Python’s creator Guido van Rossum himself), offer deep dives into crucial topics.
We’ve added tools like Code Mentor to provide AI-assisted guidance while keeping the human touch that makes Real Python special.
Our growing Python Reference gives you quick definitions that are accessible from anywhere on the site via our quick search feature. Just press / and type in a term.
Most recently we launched Live Workshops and Cohort-Courses that teach you actionable Python skills in a group setting.
The Heart of Real Python
Despite our growth, some things haven’t changed. We still believe:
- The best way to learn Python is by writing real Python code
- Quality matters more than quantity
- Learning should be broken into manageable steps
- A supportive community makes all the difference
- Every tutorial should leave you with something you can use today
Our team has grown from a handful of Python enthusiasts to a global group of experts, educators, and developers united by a common purpose: helping you become more awesome at Python.
More about our Mission & Values →
Looking Forward
Every day, people from around the world visit Real Python to begin or continue their Python journey. Some are taking their first steps in programming, others are expanding their professional skills, and many are somewhere in between.
What unites them—and us—is the belief that Python is more than just a language. It’s a tool for solving problems, building careers, and creating the future.
We’re honored to be part of your learning journey, and we’re committed to growing and improving alongside you, one tutorial, one video, one line of code at a time.
Happy Pythoning and welcome to Real Python!