The fastest way: open Terminal and type one command

Open Terminal on your Ubuntu machine. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open it, or click the Activities menu in the top left, type "Terminal", and press Enter.

Type this command and press Enter:

lsb_release -a

Ubuntu will show you the version number in the line that says "Release:". If you are running Ubuntu 22.04, you will see "22.04" there. The "Description:" line shows the full name, like "Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS".

Key Takeaways

  • The Terminal command lsb_release -a shows your exact Ubuntu version in seconds and works on every Ubuntu installation.
  • Ubuntu version numbers follow a pattern: the first two digits are the year, the next two are the month (20.04 means April 2020), and LTS versions get five years of security updates instead of nine months.
  • The Settings menu shows your version if you prefer not to use Terminal, but Terminal is faster and more reliable.
  • Knowing your version matters because some software only runs on certain Ubuntu releases, and older versions stop receiving security patches after their support window closes.

Using the Settings menu if you prefer not to open Terminal

Click the system menu in the top right corner of your screen — it looks like a power icon or a grid of dots depending on your Ubuntu version. Select "Settings" or "System Settings".

Look for "About" in the left sidebar. Click it. Your Ubuntu version appears under "OS Name" or "Version". This method takes longer than Terminal but shows the same information.

What the version number actually means

Ubuntu releases a new version every six months. The number tells you when it came out. Ubuntu 22.04 was released in April 2022 (the 04 means the fourth month). Ubuntu 24.04 came out in April 2024.

Some versions are marked LTS, which stands for Long Term Support. LTS versions get security updates for five years. Non-LTS versions get updates for only nine months. Ubuntu 22.04 is an LTS release, so it will receive patches until April 2027. Ubuntu 23.10 is not an LTS release, so it stops receiving updates in July 2024.

Knowing whether you are on an LTS version matters because once your version stops being supported, you will not receive security patches anymore. That is when you need to upgrade to a newer version.

A third option: check the /etc/os-release file directly

Open Terminal and type:

cat /etc/os-release

This shows a file that contains your system information. Look for the line that says "VERSION_ID=" — the number after that is your version. You will also see "VERSION_CODENAME=" which gives the release a nickname (like "jammy" for 22.04 or "noble" for 24.04).

This method is useful if you are writing a script or need to see the raw system file, but lsb_release -a is simpler for everyday use.

Why checking your version matters for security

Your Ubuntu version determines when you stop receiving security updates. If you are running Ubuntu 20.04, you have updates until April 2025. If you are running Ubuntu 18.04, updates ended in April 2023, which means your system is no longer receiving patches for new security problems.

Software companies also tie support to Ubuntu versions. Some applications only run on Ubuntu 22.04 or newer. If you are on an older version, you may not be able to install the latest software, and older software may have known security flaws.

Checking your version takes 10 seconds and tells you whether you need to plan an upgrade. If your version is approaching its end date, you have time to back up your files and move to a newer LTS release before support ends.

Upgrading to a newer version when yours reaches end of life

When your Ubuntu version stops being supported, you have two choices: upgrade to the next LTS version, or stay on your current version and accept that you will not receive security patches.

Ubuntu can upgrade itself to the next version using the Software Updater tool. Open Settings, go to "About", and click "Check for Updates". If a new version is available, you will see an "Upgrade" button. This process takes 30 minutes to an hour and backs up your files automatically.

You can also do a fresh install by downloading Ubuntu from ubuntu.com and creating a bootable USB drive, but upgrading in place is faster and keeps your files and settings intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if lsb_release -a does not work?

Some minimal Ubuntu installations do not include the lsb_release tool. Use cat /etc/os-release instead, or check the Settings menu. Both methods work on every Ubuntu system.

Is my version still getting security updates?

Check the Ubuntu release schedule at ubuntu.com/about/release-cycle. Find your version number and look at the "End of Standard Support" date. If that date has passed, your version no longer receives patches. If the date is in the future, you are still covered.

Can I upgrade from Ubuntu 20.04 directly to 24.04, or do I have to go through 22.04?

You can skip versions. Ubuntu lets you jump from 20.04 straight to 24.04 if you want. However, upgrading to 22.04 first is safer because the process is smaller and less likely to break something. If you have time, upgrade to 22.04, make sure everything works, then upgrade to 24.04 later.

What does the number after the version mean (like 22.04.3)?

The third number is a point release. Ubuntu 22.04.3 is the third update to the 22.04 release, with bug fixes and security patches included. You do not need to do anything — your system gets these updates automatically when you run the Software Updater.

Do I need to check my version regularly?

Check it once a year or when you are about to install new software. If your version is within two years of its release date, you are fine. If it is older than that, start planning an upgrade so you do not run out of support suddenly.