Python | os.mkdir()

Last Updated : 22 Sep, 2026

The os.mkdir() method in Python is used to create a new directory at a specified path. If the directory already exists, it raises a FileExistsError. The optional mode parameter can be used to specify permissions for the new directory.

Python 
import os

path = "GeeksForGeeks"
os.mkdir(path)

print("Directory created:", path)

Output
Directory created: GeeksForGeeks

Explanation: os.mkdir() creates a new directory named GeeksForGeeks at the specified path.

Syntax

os.mkdir(path, mode=0o777, *, dir_fd=None)

Parameters:

  • path: Specifies the path of the directory to be created.
  • mode: Specifies the permission mode for the directory. The default value is 0o777.
  • dir_fd: Specifies a directory file descriptor for a relative path.

Return Value:

  • Creates the specified directory and does not return a value.
  • Raises FileExistsError if the directory already exists and OSError if the path is invalid or inaccessible.

Examples

Example 1: Create a Directory with Custom Mode

Python 
import os

path = "CustomFolder"
mode = 0o755

os.mkdir(path, mode)
print("Directory created with mode:", oct(mode))

Output
Directory created with mode: 0o755

Explanation:

  • path specifies the directory name.
  • mode = 0o755 specifies the directory permissions.
  • os.mkdir() creates the directory with the given mode.
  • oct(mode) displays the mode in octal format.

Example 2: Handle an Existing Directory

Python 
import os

path = "ExistingFolder"

os.mkdir(path)

try:
    os.mkdir(path)
except FileExistsError:
    print("Directory already exists.")

Output
Directory already exists.

Explanation:

  • The first os.mkdir(path) creates the directory.
  • The second os.mkdir(path) tries to create the same directory again.
  • FileExistsError is raised because the directory already exists.
  • The except block catches the error.

Example 3: Handling an Invalid Parent Path

Python 
import os

path = "InvalidPath/NewDir"

try:
    os.mkdir(path)
except OSError as e:
    print("Error:", e)

Output
Error: [Errno 2] No such file or directory: 'InvalidPath/NewDir'

Explanation:

  • InvalidPath does not exist.
  • os.mkdir() cannot create missing intermediate directories.
  • An OSError is raised.
  • The except block catches and prints the error.

Example 4: Creating a Directory in the Current Working Directory

Python 
import os

path = "NewFolder"
os.mkdir(path)
print("Directory created:", path)

Output
Directory created: NewFolder

Explanation:

  • path specifies the name of the new directory.
  • os.mkdir(path) creates the directory in the current working directory.
  • The directory name is printed after creation.
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