CMake
CMake is an open-source, cross-platform build system generator maintained by Kitware. It manages the build process of software projects using compiler-independent configuration files. Instead of directly compiling source code, CMake generates native build environments such as Makefiles, Ninja build files, or Visual Studio project files.
github.com · Official website
- ✓ Official source (winget)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 4.4.4
- Release date
- Oct. 2, 2026
- License
- BSD-3-Clause
- Installer type
- zip
How do I use this?
Type Terminal in the Start menu and open it, paste the command (Ctrl+V or right-click) and press Enter. It uses winget, Windows' own package manager, to install the program from its official source.
winget install --id Kitware.CMake -eSHA256 (file verification)
bace36e94b31c68ab6fa295f26dfa11219e0701cf7c94b0284a7d1cb13dac536cmake.org · Official website
- ✓ Official source (Homebrew)
- ✓ SHA256 taken from the official repository
- ✓ Last checked: Nov. 4, 2026
- This is not a virus scan. Check on VirusTotal
- Version
- 4.4.5
- License
- BSD-3-Clause
- Installer type
- dmg
How do I use this?
This command needs Homebrew; if you don't have it, first run the install command from brew.sh. Then open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal), paste the command and press Enter.
brew install --cask cmake-appSHA256 (file verification)
cd2a0a29b384eae211433b8ab01110fdbda30c57c039e38515df1a3d35b3acfeWe couldn't find a Linux version of CMake in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
We couldn't find a Android version of CMake in the official repositories; check the publisher's website.
Platform pages: Windows · macOS · Linux · Android
Old versions (10)
CMake 4.4.4: what's new?
Highlights
- Cross-platform generation of native build systems
- Integrated testing and packaging workflows with CTest and CPack
- Support for multiple compilers and modern IDE environments
- Permissive BSD-3-Clause open-source license
Who is it for?
Software developers and teams building C, C++, and multi-language projects across Windows and macOS. It is commonly used to automate and standardize the configuration, testing, and packaging of software across different environments.
Good to know before installing
- It is not a compiler or direct build tool itself; it requires separate native tools (such as Ninja, Make, or Visual Studio) and a compiler to perform the actual build.
- Its custom scripting syntax is idiosyncratic and presents a steep learning curve.
- Debugging complex build scripts can be difficult compared to standard programming languages.
How to install
Windows
- Click the official download button to get the installer, or run 'winget install --id Kitware.CMake -e' in Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Run the installer setup wizard and opt to add CMake to the system PATH.
- Finish the installation and verify by running 'cmake --version' in a new terminal.
macOS
- Click the official download button to get the macOS package, or run 'brew install --cask cmake-app' in Terminal.
- Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag CMake to your Applications folder.
- Optionally launch CMake and configure the command-line tools to integrate with your PATH.
Alternatives
- Meson
- Premake
- GNU Make
Frequently asked questions
Is CMake a compiler?
No, CMake is a build system generator. It generates configuration files for actual build tools like Ninja, Make, or Visual Studio.
Is CMake free to use?
Yes, CMake is open-source software licensed under the BSD-3-Clause license, free for both commercial and non-commercial use.
Does CMake include a graphical user interface?
Yes, CMake includes CMake GUI alongside its command-line utilities to help configure project parameters visually.