This is a beginner question but an important one. If you are a new Linux user, this question is worth it. Every Linux distribution has its version and many have a codename. Ubuntu is one of them. Every Ubuntu release comes with a specific version number and a codename.
Ubuntu’s LTS or Long-term Support release comes in every 2 years in the month of April. These LTS versions have support for 5 years. The latest Ubuntu LTS release, for now, came on April 21, 2022. That’s why the version looks like Ubuntu 22.04 LTS and the codename is “Jammy Jellyfish”. Ubuntu then includes minor improvements and releases a new version of the LTS down the line. The current version is Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS released on August 11, 2022.
Ubuntu also has a non-LTS release that contains new features and improvements developed for the next LTS release. These releases are often time buggy and only used for testing purposes. These releases have support only for 9 months.
Knowing your Ubuntu version is essential. It helps you better understand all the features, troubleshooting issues, and compatibility with different software.
You can check the Ubuntu version in a variety of different ways. In this article, I am going to show you 7 different ways to do that.
Video Tutorial
#1 Check Ubuntu Version Using The “lsb_release -a” Command
You can easily check which version of Ubuntu is installed on your machine using the lsb_release -a command. To use this command, open the terminal from the Application menu or use the shortcut Ctrl+Atl+T, type the following command, and press enter.
lsb_release -a
Example Output:
LSB Version: core-11.1.0ubuntu4-noarch:security-11.1.0ubuntu4-noarch Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS Release: 22.04 Codename: jammy
You can see the result to get the Ubuntu version.
#2 Get Ubuntu Version From The “/etc/lsb-release” File
Another way of knowing the Ubuntu version is to see the “/etc/lsb-release” file. You can use the cat command to see the content of this file. Open the terminal and use the following command.
cat /etc/lsb-release
Example Output:
DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu DISTRIB_RELEASE=22.04 DISTRIB_CODENAME=jammy DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS"
Here you can see it contains the Ubuntu version in the DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION line.
#3 The “/etc/os-release” File Also Has the Ubuntu Version
The “/etc/os-release” file also has the Ubuntu version including some other info. You can use the cat command to see the content of this file. Open the terminal and use the following command.
cat /etc/os-release
Example Output:
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
Here you can see it has the Ubuntu version, the codename, and other info.
#4 You Can Also Check The “/etc/issue” File To Know The Ubuntu Version
This “/etc/issue” file only contains the Ubuntu version. This method is simple and you can easily use this file to know the Ubuntu version. You also need to use the cat command to see the content of this file. Open the terminal and use the following command.
cat /etc/issue
Example Output:
Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS \n \l
You can ignore the \n \l text from the output.
#5 Use The “hostnamectl” Command
The hostnamectl command is a utility that is used to display and manage the hostname and related settings on Linux systems. It provides information about the hostname, operating system, kernel, and other system properties.
To know the Ubuntu version, you can use the following command.
hostnamectl
Example Output:
Static hostname: MS-VirtualBox
Icon name: computer-vm
Chassis: vm
Machine ID: 3c56ae5b0f84481fb8390d48dda73574
Boot ID: 1b609905c98d4e45a5c484b01c3e1dac
Virtualization: oracle
Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS
Kernel: Linux 5.19.0-32-generic
Architecture: x86-64
Hardware Vendor: innotek GmbH
Hardware Model: VirtualBox
As you can see in the output, the Operating System says Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS which is the Ubuntu version.
#6 Try “neofetch” To Know The Ubuntu Version And Other Info
neofetch is a popular command-line system information tool for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems. It displays system information, such as the operating system name and version, desktop environment, hostname, and more, along with an ASCII logo of the operating system.
you can simply run the following command in a terminal to see the Ubuntu version.
neofetch
Example Output:
[email protected]:~$ neofetch .-/+oossssoo+/-. ms@MS-VirtualBox `:+ssssssssssssssssss+:` ---------------- -+ssssssssssssssssssyyssss+- OS: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS x86_64 .ossssssssssssssssssdMMMNysssso. Host: VirtualBox 1.2 /ssssssssssshdmmNNmmyNMMMMhssssss/ Kernel: 5.19.0-32-generic +ssssssssshmydMMMMMMMNddddyssssssss+ Uptime: 1 hour, 49 mins /sssssssshNMMMyhhyyyyhmNMMMNhssssssss/ Packages: 1806 (dpkg), 9 (snap) .ssssssssdMMMNhsssssssssshNMMMdssssssss. Shell: bash 5.1.16 +sssshhhyNMMNyssssssssssssyNMMMysssssss+ Resolution: 1440x804 ossyNMMMNyMMhsssssssssssssshmmmhssssssso DE: GNOME 42.5 ossyNMMMNyMMhsssssssssssssshmmmhssssssso WM: Mutter +sssshhhyNMMNyssssssssssssyNMMMysssssss+ WM Theme: Adwaita .ssssssssdMMMNhsssssssssshNMMMdssssssss. Theme: Yaru [GTK2/3] /sssssssshNMMMyhhyyyyhdNMMMNhssssssss/ Icons: Yaru [GTK2/3] +sssssssssdmydMMMMMMMMddddyssssssss+ Terminal: gnome-terminal /ssssssssssshdmNNNNmyNMMMMhssssss/ CPU: Intel i3-10100 (4) @ 3.599GHz .ossssssssssssssssssdMMMNysssso. GPU: 00:02.0 VMware SVGA II Adapter -+sssssssssssssssssyyyssss+- Memory: 988MiB / 3907MiB `:+ssssssssssssssssss+:` .-/+oossssoo+/-.
You can also filter the neofetch command using the grep command to find only the Ubuntu version of your system. Use the following command to get it.
neofetch | grep OS
Example Output:
OS: Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS x86_64
If neofetch is not installed on your system, you can install it using this command.
sudo apt install neofetch
#7 Settings App Also Has The Ubuntu Version
Ubuntu Settings app also has the Ubuntu version and other system info.
Go to your Application menu, search for Settings, and open it.
Scroll down the left panel of the Settings app and click on About. You can see the OS Name has the Ubuntu version.
Conclusion
There you have it. I hope this tutorial helps you to know different ways of knowing the Ubuntu version installed on your computer. I have shown you 7 different ways but the quickest way is to use the lsb_release -a command and I use it when I need it.
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