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LilyPond
What it is
LilyPond is free music-engraving software for producing sheet music on GNU/Linux, macOS and Windows. It takes human-readable text containing score information and automatically manages spacing, line and page breaks, and clashes among lyrics, notes and chords. It also adjusts slurs and beams. Its notation range includes classical, early and modern music, tablature, vocal music, lead sheets, educational materials and orchestral projects. Users can change layout settings, write text-based style sheets and add functions with the built-in Scheme language. LilyPond files can be edited or generated by programs and scripts, and its command-line tool can be used from other applications. The official site describes integrating music into LaTeX or HTML and using an extension with OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice. Third-party editing tools listed include Frescobaldi, Denemo and Spontini-Editor; these are developed outside LilyPond’s core. Its text-based workflow can be used with speech-recognition software and screen readers. LilyPond is published under the GNU General Public License. Listed Windows binaries do not support Windows 7 or 8, and macOS binaries require macOS 10.15 or higher.
For and against
For
- Free software for Linux, macOS and Windows
- Automatically handles spacing and page layout
- Supports tablature, vocal and orchestral notation
- Text workflow can work with screen readers
Against
- Windows binaries do not support Windows 7 or 8
- macOS binaries require macOS 10.15 or higher
- Third-party editors are outside LilyPond’s core
The verdict
LilyPond offers extensive notation and layout control through a text-based workflow. Check the listed operating-system requirements before choosing a download.
Who it suits
LilyPond suits musicians and arrangers who want to create scores from text input, including users working with scripts or accessibility tools. It supports a wide range of notation, from tablature to orchestral projects.
Plans and prices
LilyPond
Free software; GNU/Linux, Windows, macOS
Read 4 Oct 2026 · lilypond.org
On the record
- Accessibility
- The text-based workflow can be used with speech-recognition software and screen readers to write LilyPond files.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Automatic layout
- It automatically determines spacing, breaks lines and pages, resolves clashes between lyrics, notes, and chords, and slopes slurs and beams.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users can change layout settings, create text-based style sheets, and add functions using the built-in Scheme language.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- desktoplilypond.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- Input format
- LilyPond processes text input containing score information in a human-readable form.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The official features page describes integrating music into LaTeX or HTML and adding it to OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice with the OOoLilyPond extension.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- LilyPond is published under the GNU General Public License, and the official Freedom page also identifies the GNU Free Documentation License.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- MIDI support
- Yeslilypond.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- MusicXML support
- Yeslilypond.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- Notation range
- It supports engraving classical, complex, early, and modern music, tablature, vocal music, lead sheets, educational materials, and orchestral projects.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Parts extraction
- Yeslilypond.org · read 19 Sep 2026
- Platform limits
- The listed Windows binaries do not support Windows 7 or Windows 8, and the listed macOS binaries require macOS 10.15 or higher.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Programmatic use
- LilyPond input files can be edited or generated by programs and scripts, and the command-line tool can be used from other applications.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LilyPond is a music engraving program for producing sheet music.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release channels
- The official site distinguishes stable releases from unstable development releases and recommends stable downloads for users unsure about installation.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The lilypond-user mailing list is the main place for users to discuss the program and help one another; some support is also available on IRC.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Supported desktop platforms
- The official site lists GNU/Linux, macOS, and Windows as supported platforms.lilypond.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Tablature support
- Yeslilypond.org · read 19 Sep 2026
