How to Install Git on Ubuntu: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Git is the world's most widely used version control system — and for good reason. Whether you're managing code, tracking changes to configuration files, or collaborating with a team, Git gives you a structured, reliable way to handle file history. Installing it on Ubuntu is straightforward, but there are a few paths to get there, and which one makes sense depends on your specific setup and requirements.

What Git Actually Does (and Why It Matters on Ubuntu)

Before diving into commands, it's worth understanding what you're installing. Git operates as a distributed version control system, meaning every developer or machine has a full copy of the project history — not just the latest snapshot. This makes it fast, offline-capable, and resilient.

On Ubuntu specifically, Git integrates tightly with the terminal and is a prerequisite for enormous amounts of developer tooling — package managers, deployment scripts, open-source project contribution workflows, and more. If you're setting up a development environment on Ubuntu, Git is typically one of the first tools installed.

The Two Main Installation Methods

There are two practical ways to install Git on Ubuntu, and they differ in an important way: version currency.

Method 1: Install Git via APT (Ubuntu's Default Package Manager)

This is the most common approach and works well for most users.

Open your terminal and run: