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Tracked since2025
The Bottom Line
- Price
- Free, no paid tier. Compare plans
Key facts
- Black is the uncompromising Python code formatter that enforces consistent style
- It formats code automatically with zero configuration, ending style debates
- Free and open-source
Pros
- Python code formatter
- Opinionated
- No configuration
- Active development
- Industry standard
Cons
- Python only
- No customization
- Strict formatting
- Breaking changes history
- Slow on large files
What is Black?
Black formats Python code and doesn't ask questions. No configuration options, no style debates-feed it code, get back consistently formatted output. The format is opinionated, and that's the point.
Integration with editors reformats on save. CI checks ensure commits are formatted. Teams stop arguing about style because Black decides for everyone.
Python teams adopt Black to end formatting discussions forever. The loss of control is a feature, not a bug.
Available on: Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Key Features
- Python formatter
- Uncompromising
- Deterministic
- PEP 8
- CI integration
- Open source
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Oct 4, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| FreePopular | $0 | Open source
+1 moreShow less
|
Is Black worth the price?
Great value
Black's pricing is exceptionally fair and generous, as it is entirely free.
There are no paid tiers, making it an accessible and cost-effective solution for all users. It's best for any Python developer or team looking for consistent code formatting without any financial commitment.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
No overage fees.
No seat minimums.
Reviews

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Black FAQ
How does Black help development teams improve their workflow?
Black helps development teams by automatically formatting Python code, which eliminates style debates and ensures consistent code across projects. It integrates with editors to reformat on save and supports CI checks to verify formatting before commits.
What kind of user benefits most from Black?
Black is best suited for Python development teams that want to standardize their code style without manual configuration or ongoing discussions. Its opinionated approach removes the need for style guides and enforces consistency automatically.
How is Black priced?
Black is free to use, requiring no paid plans or subscriptions to access its full functionality. It is an open-source tool available for all Python developers.
Can Black be customized to fit specific formatting preferences?
No, Black is intentionally designed with no configuration options and does not allow customization of its formatting rules. Its strict, opinionated formatting is a core feature aimed at ending style debates.
How does Black compare to pre-commit?
Black is a Python code formatter that specifically handles code style, while pre-commit is a framework for managing and maintaining multi-language pre-commit hooks. Black can be used as a hook within a pre-commit setup to enforce Python formatting.
Which programming languages does Black support?
Black is exclusively a Python code formatter and only supports the Python programming language. It is not designed to format code written in other languages.
Source: black.readthedocs.io