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Check Your Ubuntu Version

Find out which Ubuntu release your server or computer runs, with the desktop or the command line.

VPS and Cloud Servers2 min read4 steps6 screenshots

Why the version matters

Each Ubuntu release gets its own security fixes. Some software only runs on certain releases. When you ask support for help, they will often ask which version you use. It takes less than a minute to check.

Check in the desktop (GUI)

Use this way if you have a screen with the Ubuntu desktop.

  1. Click Activities or the Applications icon in the bottom left corner.
  2. Search for Settings and open it.
    Open Settings from the Ubuntu menu
  3. Scroll down the left sidebar and click About.
    The About page in Ubuntu Settings
  4. Your version is shown next to OS Name.
    The Ubuntu version shown on the About page

You can also open System Information from the same search box. The version is listed under Operating System.

Check on the command line

On a VPS you usually have no desktop, so use the terminal. On a desktop, press Ctrl + Alt + T to open it.

Option 1: lsb_release

lsb_release -a

Look at the Description and Release lines. They show the version and its code name.

Output of lsb_release -a

If you only want the number, run:

lsb_release -r

Option 2: os-release file

cat /etc/os-release

Find the lines that start with VERSION= or VERSION_ID=.

Output of cat /etc/os-release

Option 3: issue file

cat /etc/issue

The first line shows the version and code name.

Output of cat /etc/issue
Tip: If a command shows a different version than you expected, you may be logged in to the wrong server. Check the host name in the terminal prompt.

Quick recap

  • On a desktop, open Settings, then About.
  • On a server, run lsb_release -a.
  • cat /etc/os-release works on almost every Linux system.
  • Check the version before you install new software.