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Yes. C++ remains one of the highest-ranked programming languages in the September 2026 TIOBE index, placing third with an 8.67% rating. But it has slipped from second place a year earlier, and the index measures popularity signals—not language quality, lines of code, job demand, or whether C++ is right for a particular project.
Where C++ ranks in the September 2026 TIOBE index
TIOBE Software BV lists C++ in third place in its September 2026 monthly table, with a rating of 8.67%. Its September 2025 comparison lists C++ second at 8.80%, a year-over-year rating change of -0.13 percentage points. These figures describe the index’s rankings and rating, not a count of C++ projects or developers.
| Measure | September 2026 | September 2025 comparison |
|---|---|---|
| TIOBE rank | Third | Second |
| TIOBE rating | 8.67% | 8.80% |
| Year-over-year rating change | -0.13 percentage points, as displayed by TIOBE | |
Source: TIOBE Index for September 2026.
What C++’s longer-term TIOBE positions show
TIOBE’s long-term table reports 12-month average positions, rather than snapshots from a particular month. On that basis, C++ averaged third in 2026, fourth in 2021, and third in 2016. The figures show that C++ has remained near the top of this index across those periods, while the September 2026 monthly position is a separate measure.
- 2026: third-place 12-month average.
- 2021: fourth-place 12-month average.
- 2016: third-place 12-month average.
Source: TIOBE Index for September 2026.
What the TIOBE index measures—and what it does not
TIOBE describes its index as an indicator of programming-language popularity. It says its ratings draw on signals involving skilled engineers worldwide, courses, third-party vendors, and popular websites, and that the index is updated monthly. TIOBE CEO Paul Jansen cautions: “It is important to note that the TIOBE index is not about the best programming language or the language in which most lines of code have been written.”
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That distinction matters: a rank reflects the index’s chosen signals and method. It is not direct evidence of how much C++ code exists, how widely engineers prefer it in every field, or how many employers are hiring for it.
Why other popularity indexes may treat C++ differently
Popularity rankings are not interchangeable because they can measure different things. PYPL analyzes Google searches for programming-language tutorials using Google Trends data, then smooths relative shares over six months. It says C++ has the same Google Trends popularity as C and omits C++ as a separate item to avoid duplication. Therefore, PYPL does not provide a distinct C++ rank in its index.
| Index | Signal described by the publisher | Time treatment | C++ coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIOBE | Signals include skilled engineers worldwide, courses, third-party vendors, and popular websites. | Updated monthly. | Lists C++ as a distinct language; it ranks third in September 2026. |
| PYPL | Google searches for language tutorials, using Google Trends data. | Relative shares are smoothed over six months. | Omitted as a separate item because PYPL says its Google Trends popularity matches C. |
Sources: TIOBE Index for September 2026 and PYPL PopularitY of Programming Language Index.
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The September 2026 TIOBE table supports a limited but useful conclusion: C++ is still highly placed in TIOBE’s popularity ranking, although its monthly rank and rating are lower than in the September 2025 comparison. The long-term averages also put it among the leading languages in the years shown.
Neither that result nor PYPL’s tutorial-search measure, by itself, establishes employment demand, production use, or suitability for a specific project. Use rankings as one indicator of attention, not as a career forecast or a language-selection rule. For a project decision, weigh its technical requirements and constraints rather than treating an index position as a verdict.
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