If you’re planning to learn Flutter or build server-side apps with Dart, the first step is installing the Dart SDK. This guide explains Dart SDK download for Windows, Linux and Mac in a clean, beginner-friendly way with step-by-step procedures, verification commands, PATH setup, common errors, and best practices.
You’ll also learn when you don’t need to install anything (because of DartPad), and how Dart SDK installation differs if you install Flutter first.
What is Dart SDK?
The Dart SDK (Software Development Kit) is the official toolkit that contains:
- Dart compiler (turns Dart code into native or web output)
- Dart VM (runs Dart programs)
- dart and dart pub commands (package manager + tooling)
- Core libraries and utilities
Without the SDK, you can’t compile or run Dart programs locally. That’s why “dart sdk download” is a common first search.
Before You Install: Choose the Best Method
There are 3 common ways people install Dart SDK:
Method A: Install Flutter (Recommended for Flutter users)
If you will use Flutter, install Flutter first. Flutter already includes a bundled Dart SDK.
Method B: Install Dart SDK Only (Recommended for pure Dart apps)
If you want Dart for backend scripts, CLI tools, or learning Dart language, install Dart SDK directly.
https://dart.dev/get-dart/archive
Method C: Use DartPad (No Installation)
If you just want to practice Dart online, use DartPad (covered at the bottom).
This article focuses on Dart SDK download for Windows, Linux and Mac, using the most stable, official ways.
System Requirements (Basic)
- Windows 10/11 (64-bit recommended)
- macOS (recent supported versions)
- Linux (Ubuntu/Debian/Fedora/Arch supported via package managers)
- Internet connection
- Administrator permissions for installation (or sudo on Linux/macOS)
Read : If you Fresher in dart read about Basic dart programmin
Dart SDK Download for Windows (Step-by-Step)
There are multiple ways on Windows, but the easiest and cleanest is using official package managers.
Option 1: Install Dart SDK on Windows using Chocolatey (Recommended)
Step 1: Install Chocolatey (if not installed)
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run Chocolatey install command from Chocolatey’s official website.
(If Chocolatey is already installed, skip to Step 2.)
Step 2: Install Dart SDK
In Admin PowerShell:
choco install dart-sdk
Step 3: Verify installation
Close and reopen terminal, then run:
dart --version
If it prints the Dart version, your install is successful.
Option 2: Install Dart SDK on Windows using ZIP (Manual Install)
Use this if you don’t want package managers.
Step 1: Download Dart SDK ZIP
Download the stable Dart SDK zip for Windows from the official Dart website.
Step 2: Extract it
Extract to a folder like:
C:\src\dart\
Step 3: Add Dart to PATH
Add this to your PATH environment variable:
C:\src\dart\dart-sdk\bin
Step 4: Verify
Open a new terminal:
dart --version
Common Windows Issues and Fixes
Issue: 'dart' is not recognized
- PATH is not set or terminal wasn’t restarted.
- Recheck PATH and open a new terminal.
Issue: Permission errors
- Run PowerShell as Administrator.
Dart SDK archive Download
Dart SDK Download for Linux (Step-by-Step)
Linux users should prefer the official repository method.
Option 1: Install Dart SDK on Ubuntu/Debian (Official Apt Repo)
Step 1: Update packages
sudo apt update
sudo apt install apt-transport-https
Step 2: Add Dart repository
Add Google’s signing key and Dart stable repository (official method).
Step 3: Install Dart
sudo apt update
sudo apt install dart
Step 4: Verify
dart --version
Option 2: Install Dart SDK on Fedora/RHEL-based distros
You can use official repo instructions for yum/dnf-based systems.
After adding the repo:
sudo dnf install dart
dart --version
Option 3: Install Dart SDK on Arch Linux
Arch users typically install via AUR or official community packages (depending on availability). Verify with:
dart --version
Linux PATH Check
If installed via package manager, PATH is usually correct.
If you used a manual SDK tarball, add to .bashrc or .zshrc:
export PATH="$PATH:/path-to-dart-sdk/bin"
Then:
source ~/.bashrc
dart --version
Dart SDK Download for Mac (Step-by-Step)
On macOS, the cleanest method is Homebrew.
Option 1: Install Dart SDK on macOS using Homebrew (Recommended)
Step 1: Install Homebrew (if needed)
If you don’t have brew, install it from Homebrew’s official website.
Step 2: Install Dart SDK
brew tap dart-lang/dart
brew install dart
Step 3: Verify
dart --version
Option 2: Manual Install (ZIP)
Download Dart SDK zip from official Dart website, extract it, and add to PATH:
export PATH="$PATH:/path-to-dart-sdk/bin"
Then verify:
dart --version
Verify Dart SDK Installation (All OS)
After installing Dart SDK, do these checks:
1) Check version
dart --version
2) Create and run a simple Dart file
Create hello.dart:
void main() {
print('Hello Dart!');
}
Run it:
dart run hello.dart
3) Check package manager (pub)
dart pub --version
Create a Dart Project (Recommended Next Step)
Once Dart is installed:
dart create my_app
cd my_app
dart run
This generates a sample project structure.
Best Practices After Installing Dart SDK
Keep Dart updated
- Windows (Chocolatey):
choco upgrade dart-sdk - macOS (brew):
brew upgrade dart - Linux (apt):
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
Use VS Code for Dart
Install extensions:
- Dart
- Flutter (optional)
Prefer Flutter SDK if you’re building Flutter apps
Flutter already includes Dart, so you avoid mismatch issues.
Read : Download Flutter SDK (Windows) — Also for Mac & Linux
DartPad (No Installation Needed)
If you don’t want to install anything right now, you can use DartPad, the official online Dart editor.
What is DartPad?
- A browser-based tool to write and run Dart code instantly
- Perfect for beginners, small experiments, and learning syntax
- No Dart SDK download needed
When DartPad is best
- You want to learn Dart basics quickly
- You are using a locked system where you can’t install software
- You want to share runnable code with someone
Limitations of DartPad
- Not ideal for large projects
- Limited access to local files
- Not a replacement for a full local development setup
Read : if you are Beginners in dart download Free PDF book
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you’re learning Flutter, install Flutter SDK. It includes Dart SDK.
If you only need Dart for CLI/backend, install Dart SDK only.
It changes frequently. Use dart --version after installing for your current installed version.
Most common reasons:
PATH not set
Terminal not restarted
Installed different folder than PATH points to
No. Flutter comes with Dart SDK.
Depends on install method:
Windows ZIP: your extracted folder
macOS brew: brew-managed folder
Linux apt: system install directories