How to Make Python 3 Print() Output UTF-8 to stdout
This article provides guidance on ensuring Python 3's print() function outputs UTF-8 to standard output. It addresses common encoding issues that arise when dealing with non-ASCII characters and offers solutions to configure Python's encoding settings. The guide includes platform-specific tips and best practices to avoid encoding problems.
- ▪Python 3's print() function can encounter encoding issues with non-ASCII characters.
- ▪Setting the PYTHONUTF8 environment variable can force UTF-8 output in Python 3.7 and later.
- ▪Misconfigured terminals may default to non-UTF-8 encodings, leading to UnicodeEncodeErrors.
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Last Updated: Dec 11, 2025How to Make Python 3 print() Output UTF-8 to Stdout: Fix Encoding Issues and Raw Bytes ProblemsPython 3’s print() function is a workhorse for outputting text, but it can become a source of frustration when dealing with non-ASCII characters (e.g., emojis, accented letters, or non-Latin scripts). If you’ve ever encountered a UnicodeEncodeError or seen garbled text instead of your intended output, you’re likely facing an encoding mismatch between Python and your system’s standard output (stdout). By default, Python 3 uses the encoding of your terminal or environment to determine how to encode text before sending it to stdout. If your terminal doesn’t use UTF-8 (a common issue on older systems or misconfigured environments), printing non-ASCII characters will fail.
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