Use Cython to Boost Your Python Performance—A Step-by-Step Guide

Speed up Python code using Cython—learn step-by-step how to compile Python into fast, C-like performance with simple type hints and no complete rewrite.

Speed is a big deal when you’re working with Python, and that’s where Cython really shines. It’s an open-source library that helps you get the speed of C without leaving the comfort of Python.

Cython lets you write regular Python code and then add type hints that get compiled into fast C code. That means you can speed things up without having to rewrite everything from scratch.

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It took me a little time to get the hang of it, but that’s just me learning. Whether you’re crunching numbers, building simulations, or just want your scripts to run faster, Cython makes it a lot easier and more efficient.

In this article, I’m going to walk you through how to set up your first Cython project, add type annotations, and compile it to get that big speed boost. What’s really great about Cython is how easily it fits into your current Python code.

With just a few changes, you can turn slow code into super-fast code. And it’s not just for basic stuff—Cython is awesome for more advanced things too, like creating C extensions, building high-performance libraries, or even connecting with C/C++ code.

I’m excited to keep exploring this and maybe use it in some big projects where speed really matters. The code examples I’m sharing today are a quick way to get started and see how fast your Python can really run.

Let’s get going by installing Cython:

pip3 install cython

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This is meant to showcase you the syntax and show you how this can speed up our code. For more in-depth studies I want you to leave some comments and I can create content around this for you!

Now sit back and watch your code go from slow to bangin’ fast!

This Week’s Cython Tips