How to Check Your Ubuntu Version: A Simple Guide
- 5 steps
- Needs administrator rights
Checking your Ubuntu version tells you exactly which release is installed on your computer. You need that to confirm an app will run on it, to pick the right download, and to know how long you will keep getting updates. Long-Term Support (LTS) releases such as Ubuntu 22.04 LTS get a 5-year update window. Regular releases are supported for a much shorter time.
You can find the version in a few seconds, either from the terminal or from the Settings app. Both methods are covered below. The terminal is the better choice on a server or over SSH, where there is no desktop. The Settings app is easier if you work on a desktop and don’t like typing commands.
Open the Terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T and run lsb_release -a to check your Ubuntu version. The output shows the release number, such as 22.04, and the codename, such as jammy. The description line also tells you whether you are on an LTS release, which gets five years of updates. On a server without a desktop, run cat /etc/os-release instead.
How to find the Ubuntu Linux version on a computer
The terminal shows your exact release number and whether you are on an LTS version. The LTS label matters because it tells you how long your updates will keep coming. Every method below works on current Ubuntu releases and needs no administrator rights, because you are only reading information.
The Ubuntu version number is the year and month of the release. For example, 22.04 means April 2022. LTS releases come out every two years, in April.
Start with the lsb_release command. LSB stands for Linux Standard Base, and the tool reports information about the Linux distribution you are running.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard. A terminal window opens. If the shortcut does nothing, open the app grid and search for Terminal.
- Type the command below and press Enter.
lsb_release -a
The terminal prints a short info sheet similar to this:
No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS Release: 22.04 Codename: jammy
This shows the distributor, the description, the release number and the codename of your Ubuntu version. The description line also tells you whether the release is an LTS one.
lsb_release -d command.It prints a single line, which is easier to read or to copy into a support request. The lsb_release -a command shows all the details.
Description: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS
The file-based methods below work without it.
You can also read your Ubuntu version from the /etc/issue or /etc/os-release files. These are plain text files, so you can display them with the commands below.
First, display the content of the /etc/issue file. It holds the operating system identification text.
cat /etc/issue
The terminal prints a line similar to this:
Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS n l
Next, examine the /etc/os-release file. It holds more detailed information for identifying the operating system. Run the commands below to display the /etc/os-release data for Ubuntu Linux.
cat /etc/os-release
You should see output with the lines below:
PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS" NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION_ID="22.04" VERSION="22.04.1 LTS (Jammy Jellyfish)" VERSION_CODENAME=jammy ID=ubuntu ID_LIKE=debian HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/" SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/" BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/" PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy" UBUNTU_CODENAME=jammy
The hostnamectl command also shows information about your Ubuntu Linux system. Run the commands below to view the Ubuntu Linux version.
hostnamectl
It prints an info sheet similar to this:
Static hostname: Ubuntu2204
Icon name: computer-vm
Chassis: vm
Machine ID: 103bd8b830824b90bca97c6ac84ad445
Boot ID: 8f430b32cc1b4831959fbdcae616810f
Virtualization: oracle
Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS
Kernel: Linux 5.15.0-47-generic
Architecture: x86-64
Hardware Vendor: innotek GmbH
Hardware Model: VirtualBoxAs you can see, the command line gives you several ways to find the Ubuntu version number. They all report the same release. Use whichever one you remember, or whichever is installed on the machine in front of you.
Find the Ubuntu Linux version via desktop system settings
If you use the Ubuntu desktop, you can read the version in the Settings app without opening a terminal. The About page lists your operating system details on screen.
- Click the top bar, then select the System menu at the top right corner. A small panel opens with the volume, network and power controls.
- Select Settings. The Settings window opens.
- In the Settings app, select About. Depending on your release, it is either at the bottom of the left sidebar or inside the System section. You should now see details about your computer, including the Ubuntu Linux version.
That completes the process. You now know which Ubuntu release you are running and can match it against the support dates for your version.
Conclusion:
- The post showed several ways to find the Ubuntu Linux version on a computer, including the command-line utilities
lsb_release,cat /etc/issue,cat /etc/os-release, andhostnamectl. - It also showed how to find the version through the desktop Settings app, a friendlier option if you prefer not to use the command line.
- Whichever method you use, you get the same answer, so the guide suits both new and experienced users.
- Feel free to use the comment section if you spot an error or have something to add.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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