How to check which Ubuntu version you have

You can find your Ubuntu version number in three places: the Settings app, the terminal, or a system file. The fastest route depends on whether you are comfortable opening a terminal — if you are not, the Settings app takes about 30 seconds and requires no typing.

Ubuntu versions follow a naming pattern: a number (like 22 or 24) followed by either "LTS" or nothing. LTS means Long Term Support, which means your system will receive security updates for five years instead of nine months. Knowing your version matters because some software only runs on certain versions, and security updates are tied to the version you have.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, click "About", and look for "Ubuntu version" to see your number without using the terminal.
  • Type lsb_release -a in the terminal to see your version number, release name, and code name all at once.
  • LTS versions receive five years of updates; non-LTS versions receive nine months, so check whether yours says LTS.
  • Your version number tells you when your system will stop receiving security updates, which you can calculate from the release year.

Finding your version through Settings

Click the grid icon in the bottom left corner (or press the Super key, which is usually the Windows key) and type "Settings". Open the Settings process. On the left side, scroll down and click "About". You will see a section labeled "Ubuntu" with your version number displayed prominently.

The version number appears as a year and month — for example, "24.04 LTS" or "23.10". The first two digits are the year (24 means 2024), and the last two digits are the month (04 means April). If you see "LTS" after the number, your system receives five years of updates. If you do not see "LTS", your version will stop receiving updates nine months after its release date.

Finding your version in the terminal

Open the terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T, or click the grid icon and type "Terminal". Once the terminal window opens, type this command exactly as shown:

lsb_release -a

Press Enter. The terminal will display several lines. Look for the line that says "Release:" — the number next to it is your version. You will also see "Codename:" which is the nickname Ubuntu gives to that version (for example, "Noble" for 24.04 or "Jammy" for 22.04). These names are just labels; the version number is what matters for checking software compatibility.

Finding your version in system files

If the terminal command above does not work, you can check a system file directly. Open the terminal and type:

cat /etc/os-release

Press Enter. This displays the contents of a file that stores information about your operating system. Look for the line that says "VERSION_ID=" — the number in quotes after it is your version. You may also see "VERSION_CODENAME=" which shows the release name.

Understanding what your version number means

Ubuntu releases a new version every six months, in April and October. The version number reflects the year and month: 24.04 was released in April 2024, and 24.10 was released in October 2024. Every two years, one of these releases is designated as LTS (Long Term Support), which means it receives security updates for five years instead of nine months.

If you have version 22.04 LTS, your system will receive updates until April 2027. If you have version 23.10 (without LTS), your system stopped receiving updates in August 2024. Knowing your version helps you understand when you need to upgrade to keep your system find. You can calculate the end date by adding five years to the release date for LTS versions, or nine months for non-LTS versions.

Why you might need to know your version

Software developers sometimes write programs that only work on specific Ubuntu versions. When you read a program or follow installation instructions, the instructions may say "requires Ubuntu 22.04 or later" or "compatible with 24.04 LTS only". Knowing your version number lets you check whether the software will work on your system before you try to install it.

Your version also determines which security updates are available. Ubuntu stops releasing updates for non-LTS versions nine months after release, so if you are running an older non-LTS version, your system may be missing important security patches. LTS versions are safer for this reason — they receive updates for five years, which gives you more time before you must upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between LTS and non-LTS versions?

LTS versions receive security updates for five years; non-LTS versions receive them for nine months. LTS is safer for computers that stay in use for a long time. Non-LTS versions have newer software but require more frequent upgrades.

Can I upgrade from one version to a newer one?

Yes. Open Settings, click "About", and look for an "Upgrade" button if a newer version is available. Ubuntu will guide you through the process, though it takes time and requires a restart. You can also wait until your current version stops receiving updates.

What happens if I do not upgrade when my version stops receiving updates?

Your system will continue to work, but it will no longer receive security patches. This means new vulnerabilities discovered after the update period ends will not be fixed on your computer. For security, upgrading is recommended once your version reaches end of life.

Why do some programs say they need a specific Ubuntu version?

Developers test software on certain versions and may provide it works on those versions. Newer versions may have different libraries or tools that the program depends on. Checking your version before installing ensures the software will work correctly.

Is there a way to see how long my version will be supported?

Yes. If your version number ends in "LTS", add five years to the release date shown in Settings. If it does not say LTS, add nine months to the release date. The result is the month your version stops receiving updates.