How to Install PostgreSQL on Windows, Mac & Linux

PostgreSQL download: which package to choose

Start every PostgreSQL download at postgresql.org/download, which lists ready-to-use packages and installers by operating system as well as the source code. Do not download installers from mirror sites you do not recognise; the links below are the ones the PostgreSQL project itself publishes.

For the current release, the PostgreSQL versioning policy page shows 18.6 as the current minor version of PostgreSQL 18, first released on 25 September 2025 and supported until November 2030. A new major version arrives about once a year and each one is supported for five years, so a beginner should install the newest major version. If you are following a course or matching a production server, install the same major version as that server instead.

PostgreSQL download for Windows: the EDB installer step by step

The Windows page on postgresql.org explains that the interactive installer is certified and hosted by EDB rather than by the PostgreSQL community servers, and that it includes the PostgreSQL server, pgAdmin and StackBuilder. On EDB's download page, pick the PostgreSQL version and the Windows x86-64 column; EDB marks 32-bit Windows as not supported for every current version.

EDB's documentation says you need administrator privileges to run the graphical wizard, and warns that it does not support all non-ASCII, multi-byte characters in user or machine names. Then, as documented by EDB:

1. Double-click the installer (on some Windows versions, right-click it and choose Run as Administrator). The setup wizard opens on the Welcome screen; select Next.
2. Installation Directory: accept the default or choose another folder.
3. Select Components: keep PostgreSQL Server, pgAdmin 4 and Command Line Tools (psql, pg_dump, createdb and others). Stack Builder is optional.
4. Data Directory: accept the default location for the data files, or choose another.
5. Password: enter and retype a password. The same password is used for the postgres database superuser and the PostgreSQL service account, so store it safely.
6. Port: the default listener port is 5432. Change it only if another PostgreSQL server already uses that port.
7. Advanced Options: choose a locale; the default is the operating system locale.
8. Review the Pre Installation Summary, select Next to install, then decide whether to launch Stack Builder at exit. Beginners can clear that check box and select Finish.

PostgreSQL then runs as a Windows service in the background, so it starts automatically with Windows. If you prefer an unattended setup, the postgresql.org Windows page notes the installer can also run in silent mode; EDB documents its command line parameters separately.

Add psql to PATH and connect for the first time

According to EDB, the installer does not modify the system path by default. To run psql from any command prompt, add the PostgreSQL bin folder yourself:

1. Open System Properties on the Advanced tab (you can run SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe).
2. Select Environment Variables.
3. Under System variables, select Path and then Edit.
4. Add your installation directory followed by \bin, for example C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\18\bin for PostgreSQL 18.

Open a new command prompt, so it picks up the changed PATH, and connect as the superuser. You are prompted for the password you chose in the installer:

psql -U postgres

Using pgAdmin instead of the command line

pgAdmin 4 is installed by the EDB installer when you leave its component selected. If you installed PostgreSQL another way, pgAdmin is available separately from pgadmin.org/download; the current Windows release is pgAdmin 4 v9.18 (17 September 2026), and v7.0 and later need Windows 10 or Windows Server 2016 or newer. For the pgAdmin side in detail, see the pgAdmin install guide and the pgAdmin review.

Installing PostgreSQL on macOS and Linux

macOS. postgresql.org lists the same EDB installer (graphical, command line or silent modes), plus Postgres.app, which it describes as a native macOS app that runs in the menu bar without an installer: open the app and the server is running, close it and the server shuts down. Homebrew is also listed; its formulae are named postgresql@NN, where NN is the major version. postgresql.org's own example uses version 15, so substitute the major version you want:

brew install postgresql@15

apt install postgresql

sudo apt install -y postgresql-common
sudo /usr/share/postgresql-common/pgdg/apt.postgresql.org.sh
sudo apt update
sudo apt install postgresql-18

dnf install postgresql-server
postgresql-setup --initdb
systemctl enable postgresql.service
systemctl start postgresql.service

Why the Linux version may be older than you expect

postgresql.org explains that each Linux distribution release "snapshots" one PostgreSQL version and supports it for the life of that release. On RHEL, Rocky and AlmaLinux 10, for example, the built-in package is PostgreSQL 16. If you need PostgreSQL 18, use the PostgreSQL project's Apt or Yum repository, which carries every supported version and provides updates through your normal package manager. On the Red Hat family the server is not initialised or started automatically, which is why the extra postgresql-setup and systemctl commands are needed.

Create your first database

The PostgreSQL tutorial creates a database with the createdb command and then opens it with psql. On Windows, add -U postgres to both commands so they connect as the superuser you created in the installer. Database names must start with a letter and are limited to 63 bytes.

createdb -U postgres mydb
psql -U postgres mydb

SELECT version();

CREATE TABLE weather (
    city            varchar(80),
    temp_lo         int,           -- low temperature
    temp_hi         int,           -- high temperature
    prcp            real,          -- precipitation
    date            date
);

INSERT INTO weather VALUES ('San Francisco', 46, 50, 0.25, '1994-11-27');
SELECT * FROM weather;

Reading the psql prompt

The documentation explains that a prompt ending in => means an ordinary user, while =# means you are a database superuser, which is usual when you installed PostgreSQL yourself. Commands that start with a backslash are psql meta-commands rather than SQL; \q (or \quit) quits psql. psql only runs a statement once it sees the terminating semicolon, so a long CREATE TABLE can be typed over several lines.

Common PostgreSQL install and connection errors

Most first-day problems are one of the messages below, all documented in the PostgreSQL manual. CodeWithSQL's SQL error library currently covers SQL Server error codes; for PostgreSQL, the manual's own explanations are the reference.

Next steps

With PostgreSQL running, work through the SQL beginner course using your new database, and practise with the SQL exercises. If you are still choosing an engine, compare MySQL vs PostgreSQL. If you would rather not install anything locally, see free PostgreSQL hosting options, or run the official image with Docker using the related guide below.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• PostgreSQL: Downloads
• PostgreSQL: Windows installers
• PostgreSQL: macOS packages
• PostgreSQL: Linux downloads (Ubuntu)
• PostgreSQL: Linux downloads (Red Hat family)
• PostgreSQL: Versioning policy
• PostgreSQL documentation: Creating a Database
• PostgreSQL documentation: Accessing a Database
• PostgreSQL documentation: Creating a New Table
• PostgreSQL documentation: Populating a Table With Rows
• PostgreSQL documentation: Starting the Database Server
• PostgreSQL documentation: Authentication Problems
• EDB: Download PostgreSQL
• EDB documentation: Installing PostgreSQL on Windows
• pgAdmin: Download
• pgAdmin: Download for Windows

Checked 8 October 2026.

How we research guides: our editorial method. We link only to official downloads and never host installers.