How to Check the Ubuntu Version on Your System

Knowing which version of Ubuntu you're running is one of those basic but genuinely useful pieces of information — whether you're troubleshooting an issue, installing new software, or figuring out whether your system is still receiving security updates. The good news is that Ubuntu makes this easy to check, and there are several ways to do it depending on how you prefer to work.

Why Your Ubuntu Version Number Actually Matters

Ubuntu follows a predictable release schedule: a new version drops every six months, and Long Term Support (LTS) releases arrive every two years. LTS versions — like 20.04, 22.04, and 24.04 — receive security patches and maintenance updates for five years. Standard releases are supported for only nine months.

That distinction matters more than it might seem. If you're running an unsupported version, you're no longer receiving security patches, which creates real exposure on any machine connected to the internet. The version number also determines which software packages are available to you through the default repositories — newer versions of applications, programming languages, and drivers may simply not be installable on older Ubuntu releases without workarounds.

Ubuntu's version naming convention makes this easy to read at a glance. The number 22.04, for example, means the release from April 2022 (year.month). The codename — "Jammy Jellyfish" in that case — is the friendly label used in package management and repository configurations behind the scenes.

Checking Your Ubuntu Version via the Terminal 💻

The terminal is the fastest and most reliable method, and it works on every Ubuntu installation regardless of whether a desktop environment is present.

Option 1: lsb_release

lsb_release -a 

This returns a clean block of information including the distributor ID, description, release number, and codename. Most users only need the release line:

lsb_release -r 

Option 2: Reading the os-release file directly

cat /etc/os-release 

This file contains structured data about the operating system. You'll see fields like NAME, VERSION, VERSION_ID, and PRETTY_NAME. This method is especially useful in scripts because the file follows a consistent format across Linux distributions, not just Ubuntu.

Option 3: hostnamectl

hostnamectl 

In addition to hostname and machine details, this command outputs the Operating System line, which includes the Ubuntu version. It's handy when you want a broader system overview in a single command.

Checking Ubuntu Version Through the Graphical Interface

If you're running Ubuntu with the GNOME desktop environment — the default in modern Ubuntu releases — you can find version information without touching the terminal.

Navigate to: Settings → About

This screen displays the Ubuntu version, along with details like your GNOME version, kernel version, and hardware information. It's straightforward and suitable for users who rarely use the command line.

On older Ubuntu releases using the Unity desktop, the equivalent path was System Settings → Details.

Understanding What the Output Is Telling You

When you run any of the above commands, you'll encounter a few consistent terms worth knowing:

One important distinction: the kernel version and the Ubuntu version are not the same thing. The kernel can be updated independently. Knowing your Ubuntu version tells you about the distribution release and support status; the kernel version is relevant when troubleshooting hardware compatibility or driver issues.

Checking the Version Remotely or in Scripts

If you're managing multiple Ubuntu machines or working with automation, the /etc/os-release file is the most script-friendly source. It's a plain key=value format that's easy to parse with standard tools like grep or awk:

grep VERSION_ID /etc/os-release 

For remote systems, the same commands work over SSH — there's no special remote-specific method needed. Simply SSH into the machine and run any of the terminal commands above.

Variables That Shape What Your Version Check Reveals 🔍

The version check itself is simple, but what you do with that information depends on several factors:

• Support status: Is your version still within its support window? An LTS release on year three is very different from a standard release eight months in.
• Upgrade path: Some version jumps are direct; others require stepping through intermediate releases. The version number tells you where you are, but where you can go next depends on Ubuntu's upgrade policy for that specific release.
• Server vs. desktop installation: The same version number behaves differently depending on whether you installed the desktop or server edition. Package availability and default configurations differ.
• Derivatives and flavors: Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, and other official flavors share Ubuntu's version numbers but have different default software and, in some cases, different support timelines for their desktop environments.
• Upgrade history: A system upgraded from 20.04 to 22.04 carries the same version label as a fresh 22.04 install, but may have legacy configurations or package holdovers that affect behavior.

The version number is a starting point. What it implies for your system — whether you need to upgrade, whether a particular package will install cleanly, whether your setup is still supported — depends on the full picture of how your system was set up and what it's being used for.