There are a couple of different ways to check Ubuntu version and in this post we walk you through each of them.
Check your Ubuntu version before you follow online guides, download apps, or troubleshoot issues
You can find out which version of Ubuntu you use from the command line (i.e. in a terminal) or by mousing around in a GUI (i.e. no commands).
Whichever way you choose it will only a few seconds to check your Ubuntu version.
Plus, as a bonus, the command line portion of this guide works in Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions like Linux Mint, elementary OS, Zorin OS and others — so if you want to find out which version of Linux Mint you’re on, you can!
How to Check Ubuntu Version
1. Check using the command line
To check Ubuntu version using the terminal you can use lsb_release, a utility included in most Linux distros that quickly displays system information.
- Open a terminal
- Run
lsb_release -a
When you run the lsb_release -a command on any modern Linux distro the terminal will instantly show you your Ubuntu version number and, if applicable, the release codename too.
2. Check using System Settings
If you don’t like using the command line, no worries: you can also use the built-in System Settings app to check your Ubuntu version:
- Open System Settings
- Go to Details > About
You’ll see a screen like the one in the screenshot above. This lists all the pertinent information that pertains to your particular install, atop of which is a big, bold, and hard-to-miss version number!
If the version number reads “Ubuntu 19.10” then you’re running the very latest version of Ubuntu. If it reads “Ubuntu 18.04 LTS” then you’re running the latest Long Term Support release of Ubuntu.
Naturally this step will differ on different Linux distros (like Linux Mint) but chances are there is some kind if settings app installed that lists the information — have a poke around in the app menus to discover it!
3. Use Neofetch instead!
The Neofetch system info tool is one of my TOP Ubuntu app picks because it’s both eminently useful and so very nice to look at!
If you’re running a modern version of Ubuntu — and by this point you should now know which Ubuntu version you’re on 😉 — you can install Neofetch in Ubuntu from the Software app.
Just click the button below to begin:
Once installed, run the neofetch command to view a bunch of information about your system. Details presented include Ubuntu release number, whether you’re using a 32-bit or a 64-bit OS, and Linux kernel version (the latter meaning you won’t need to check kernel version manually.)