The fastest way to check your Ubuntu version

Open the Activities menu in the top left corner of your screen and type Settings. Click the Settings icon when it appears. In the left sidebar, scroll down and click About. Your Ubuntu version number appears on the right side of the window next to "Version" — it will show something like "22.04 LTS" or "24.04".

This method works on any Ubuntu desktop and takes about 10 seconds. You do not need to open a terminal or type any commands. If you are using Ubuntu Server (the text-only version without a desktop), skip to the terminal methods below.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app shows your Ubuntu version in the About section and is the quickest method for desktop users.
  • The lsb_release -a command in the terminal displays your version number along with the release name and codename.
  • The cat /etc/os-release command shows detailed version information in a different format that some users find clearer.
  • Ubuntu version numbers use a year-and-month format (like 22.04 or 24.04), and "LTS" means the version receives five years of updates instead of nine months.

Using the terminal to check your version

If you prefer the terminal or are using Ubuntu Server, open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on the keyboard. Type the following command and press Enter:

lsb_release -a

The terminal will display three lines: Release (your version number), Codename (the nickname for that release), and Description (the full name). For example, you might see "Release: 22.04" and "Codename: jammy". This command works on any Ubuntu system, whether you are using the desktop or server version.

An alternative terminal command for more detail

If the previous command does not work or you want to see additional information, type this command instead:

cat /etc/os-release

This displays a longer list of information about your system, including the version number next to "VERSION_ID". You will also see the version codename next to "VERSION_CODENAME". This file contains the same version information as the Settings app, just formatted differently. Both commands are equally reliable.

Understanding what your version number means

Ubuntu version numbers follow a simple pattern: the first two digits are the year, and the last two digits are the month. Version 22.04 means April 2022. Version 24.04 means April 2024. Every six months, Canonical (the company behind Ubuntu) releases a new version.

If your version number ends in "LTS" (Long Term Support), your system receives security updates for five years instead of the standard nine months. LTS versions are released every two years in April — the most recent ones are 20.04, 22.04, and 24.04. Most people use LTS versions because the longer support period means fewer forced upgrades.

What to do if you see an unfamiliar version number

If you see a version number you do not recognize, it may mean your system is very new or very old. You can look up any Ubuntu version number on the official Ubuntu releases page to find out when it was released and when support ends. Version numbers below 18.04 are no longer supported and no longer receive security updates — if you are running one of these, you should plan to upgrade.

If the version number looks correct but you want to know whether your system is fully updated, open the Settings app and click System in the left sidebar, then click Software Updates. Ubuntu will check for any pending updates and show you what is available.

Checking the kernel version separately

Your Ubuntu version number and your kernel version are two different things. The Ubuntu version (like 22.04) is the release you installed. The kernel version is the core of the operating system that handles hardware communication. Most people only need to know the Ubuntu version, but if you need the kernel version for troubleshooting, open a terminal and type:

uname -r

This shows your kernel version number, which typically looks like "5.15.0-56-generic" or similar. You rarely need this unless you are installing hardware drivers or troubleshooting a specific technical problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my version number have "LTS" at the end?

LTS stands for Long Term Support. Your system receives security updates for five years instead of nine months. LTS versions are released every two years in April and are designed for people who want stability and do not want to upgrade frequently.

Can I check my Ubuntu version on an older system that no longer boots?

If your system will not start normally, you can boot from an Ubuntu installation USB drive and open a terminal. Mount your old hard drive and navigate to the /etc/os-release file on that drive to see what version was installed. This requires some terminal knowledge but is possible.

What if the Settings app does not show an About section?

Some older Ubuntu versions or custom installations may have a different Settings layout. Use the terminal command lsb_release -a instead — this works on every Ubuntu system regardless of the desktop environment or age.

Is my version still supported if it is not LTS?

Non-LTS versions receive updates for nine months after release. You can check the official Ubuntu releases page to see the exact end date for your version. If support has ended, you should upgrade to a newer version to keep receiving security updates.

Do I need to restart my computer after checking the version?

No. Checking your version number does not change anything on your system and does not require a restart. It is a read-only action that simply displays information.