How to Check Your Ubuntu Version (Desktop, Terminal, Server, WSL and Containers)

The quickest terminal check is lsb_release --description. On Ubuntu Desktop, open Settings → System → About and read Operating System. If lsb_release is missing, read /etc/os-release instead. These methods identify the Ubuntu release, such as Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS; they are different from checking the Linux kernel with uname -r.

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This guide covers graphical and command-line methods, minimal servers, SSH, virtual machines, WSL, containers, Ubuntu flavors, version-number decoding, support status and common failures.

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Check your Ubuntu version in Settings

On a current Ubuntu Desktop installation using the standard GNOME interface:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select System.
3. Select About.
4. Read the Operating System field.

You may see a value such as Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. Ubuntu documents this path in its desktop instructions: Settings → System → About.

This is a good choice when you are using the computer locally and want a quick visual answer without opening a terminal. The field gives the release identity; it is not a complete inventory of installed packages or the running kernel. If you need a value for a support request or a command, the terminal methods below make it easier to copy exact fields.

Older Ubuntu desktop interfaces

On older releases, the same information may be under System Settings → Details rather than About. Menu labels can also change with the release, language and desktop environment. If you cannot find the page, use a terminal command; it is more consistent across installations.

Ubuntu flavors

Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Budgie, Ubuntu Studio and other recognized flavors share Ubuntu release numbering but use different desktop applications. GNOME-based Ubuntu normally uses Settings → System → About; KDE Plasma and other flavors may place system information in a different settings or information panel. The terminal methods below generally work regardless of flavor.

The difference between a flavor and a release is useful here: a flavor describes a desktop experience and set of defaults, while the Ubuntu release number identifies the underlying release series. A machine running Kubuntu 24.04, for example, is still based on the Ubuntu 24.04 release. If the graphical panel names the flavor rather than showing a familiar Ubuntu version, run lsb_release --description or inspect /etc/os-release.

Check the Ubuntu version with lsb_release

Open Terminal and run:

lsb_release --description

A typical result is:

Description:    Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

This is usually the clearest one-line answer because it combines the distribution name, release number and LTS status.

Show every field

For distributor, release and codename details, run:

lsb_release -a

Example:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
Release:        26.04
Codename:       resolute

The line No LSB modules are available. is commonly informational. It is not, by itself, a failure, and the Ubuntu fields beneath it are still usable.

Useful variants

• lsb_release -d prints only the human-readable description.
• lsb_release -rs prints a compact release number, such as 26.04, which is convenient in shell commands.
• lsb_release -a prints all fields, including the codename.

For a person reading the result, start with lsb_release --description. For automation, prefer the standardized fields in /etc/os-release, described next.

The command only needs to be run in the environment you want to identify. In a local desktop terminal, that is the installed system. In an SSH session, it is the remote host; in WSL, it is the Ubuntu distribution; and in a container, it is the container environment. When copying a result, note which session or machine produced it so it is not mistaken for a different system.

Use /etc/os-release when lsb_release is unavailable

Minimal installations, cloud images and restricted environments may not include the lsb_release command. Ubuntu still normally provides operating-system identification data in:

cat /etc/os-release

You may see:

PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 26.04 LTS"
NAME="Ubuntu"
VERSION_ID="26.04"
VERSION="26.04 LTS (Resolute Raccoon)"
VERSION_CODENAME=Resolute
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian

The official Ubuntu os-release documentation explains that the file contains newline-separated variable assignments for identifying the operating system. /etc/os-release takes precedence; /usr/lib/os-release is the fallback location when needed. See the os-release manual.

Fields that matter

• PRETTY_NAME is a display-friendly name, such as Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS.
• VERSION_ID is the normalized release identifier, such as 24.04.
• VERSION_CODENAME is the release codename when the installation supplies one.
• ID identifies the operating system; Ubuntu normally reports ubuntu.

Fields are not guaranteed on every customized image, derivative or container. If a codename is absent, PRETTY_NAME or VERSION_ID may still provide everything you need.

For most quick checks, the human-readable name and version ID answer different needs. Use PRETTY_NAME when you want to report what a person would recognize, including an LTS label if present. Use VERSION_ID when a tool or comparison needs the release number alone. A codename is helpful when a software instruction explicitly uses one, but it is not necessary to identify the release if the numeric ID is available.

Print only the useful lines

grep -E '^(PRETTY_NAME|VERSION_ID|VERSION_CODENAME)=' /etc/os-release

To print one value without the surrounding variable name:

. /etc/os-release && printf '%sn' "$PRETTY_NAME"

. /etc/os-release && printf '%sn' "$VERSION_ID"

. /etc/os-release && printf '%sn' "$VERSION_CODENAME"

The leading dot (equivalent to source) loads the file’s assignments into the current shell. The file is designed as shell-style variable data, so use it only from a trusted operating-system file.

How to read an Ubuntu version number

Ubuntu release identifiers normally follow:

YY.MM[.POINT-RELEASE] [LTS]

For example, 24.04.4 LTS means:

• 24 — the release year, 2024.
• 04 — the release month, April.
• .4 — the fourth point release in the 24.04 LTS series.
• LTS — Long Term Support.

24.04 is the base Ubuntu release. A point release such as 24.04.4 is a refreshed installation image containing updates made since the original 24.04 release; it is not a wholly separate base series. An installation that reports 24.04.4 remains part of the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS series.

The optional point number is useful when describing the installation image, but it does not change the base release used in many compatibility instructions. If instructions ask whether software supports Ubuntu 24.04, a system reporting 24.04.4 belongs to that series. If a support form asks for the full value shown on your system, include the point number too.

Codenames

Ubuntu also assigns each release a codename, such as Noble for 24.04 and Resolute for 26.04. Depending on the command and release, the codename may appear with different capitalization. Use VERSION_CODENAME when software instructions specifically ask for the codename, and use VERSION_ID when they require a numeric comparison.

Current release context

Ubuntu’s official release list, consulted on August 18, 2026, identifies these releases and lifecycle dates:

Release	Codename	Release date	Standard-support information listed by Ubuntu
Ubuntu 26.04 LTS	Resolute Raccoon	April 23, 2026	Through May 2031
Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS	Noble Numbat	February 12, 2026 for point release 4	Through June 2029
Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS	Jammy Jellyfish	September 12, 2024 for point release 5	Through June 2027
Ubuntu 25.10	Questing Quokka	Not stated in this table	End of life listed as July 2026

These are date-stamped reference points, not a permanent “latest version” claim. Check Ubuntu’s live list of releases before making an upgrade or support decision.

The release list is the right place to verify a lifecycle date because new releases, point releases and support milestones change over time. A release can still be identifiable by its local version fields even after its support period ends; version checking tells you what is installed, while the official lifecycle information tells you what maintenance is currently available.

Ubuntu release versus Linux kernel version

The Ubuntu release and the running kernel are separate values. To see the kernel, run:

uname -r

Example output:

6.14.0-xx-generic

This identifies the kernel currently running, not whether the system is Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 or 26.04. A kernel can be updated within an Ubuntu release, and different Ubuntu releases can temporarily run related kernel versions. Use lsb_release or /etc/os-release for the operating-system release.

This distinction matters when following instructions. If an application asks for your Ubuntu release, give it a value such as 24.04 or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. If a driver or compatibility guide asks which kernel is active, use the output of uname -r. One value cannot safely substitute for the other.

For a wider set of machine details, use:

uname -a

On many systemd-based installations, this is another optional convenience:

hostnamectl

hostnamectl may show an Operating System line together with the kernel and architecture. It is not canonical and may be unavailable in containers, chroots, minimal systems or environments without a functioning systemd setup.

Check Ubuntu Server, SSH, virtual machines, WSL and containers

Headless systems do not have a Settings application, but the terminal commands are the same.

Ubuntu Server over SSH

ssh [email protected] 'lsb_release --description'

If the remote machine lacks lsb_release:

ssh [email protected] 'grep -E "^(PRETTY_NAME|VERSION_ID|VERSION_CODENAME)=" /etc/os-release'

The command runs on the remote system and reports that system’s release, not the operating system on your local computer.

Run the command after confirming that the SSH connection is to the intended host. A familiar prompt or an open terminal tab does not prove whether you are on the local machine or a remote server. The release fields come from the system executing the command.

Virtual machines and cloud instances

Run the command inside the guest. It identifies the Ubuntu image installed in that virtual machine or instance. It does not identify the hypervisor’s host operating system.

Windows Subsystem for Linux

Run lsb_release --description or read /etc/os-release inside the WSL distribution. The result describes the installed Ubuntu distribution, not the Windows host.

Containers

Run the check inside the container. In most ordinary Ubuntu containers, /etc/os-release describes the container image. That can differ from the physical host and from the operating system used by the container runtime. A stripped-down image may omit lsb_release, making /etc/os-release the practical choice.

In all three cases—VM, WSL and container—the key question is “which environment am I checking?” The method does not change, but the result belongs to the guest, distribution or container where the command runs. If you need the host’s Ubuntu version, connect to or open a shell on the host and run the check there.

Check whether your Ubuntu release is still supported

Identifying a release is only the first step. Support depends on the release type, edition, flavor, repository component and any Ubuntu Pro or Expanded Security Maintenance coverage.

• Ubuntu releases arrive approximately every six months.
• LTS releases receive five years of standard security maintenance for packages in the main component, according to Ubuntu’s release policy.
• Interim releases receive nine months of support.
• Support for packages in universe, official flavors and vendor-provided images can follow different arrangements.

Compare the value you found with Ubuntu’s release list and the Ubuntu release policy. Do not infer support merely from the presence of an LTS label: verify the specific release date, edition and maintenance program.

“Supported” also needs context. The five-year LTS figure refers to standard security maintenance for packages in main; it does not mean every package installed on the system receives the same coverage for that full period. Ubuntu Pro or Expanded Security Maintenance may affect maintenance options, and official flavors, cloud images or vendor-maintained images may have their own terms. If you are checking support before upgrading, use the official release list and policy for the particular release and package set rather than relying on the version string alone.

If lsb_release says “command not found”

Use the fallback first:

cat /etc/os-release

Installing a package is unnecessary if that file already gives you the release information. If you specifically need the lsb_release interface, and you have administrative rights and working repositories, you can try:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install lsb-release

Package availability, repository configuration, network access and permissions vary on minimal, offline and customized systems. The installation step is optional; it is not required for checking the version with /etc/os-release.

For a one-time check, avoid changing a minimal or locked-down system just to install this utility when the release file already answers the question. On an offline server, an installation may fail because package lists or repositories are unavailable; that does not prevent you from reading the existing identification file. If you do need the command for a specific workflow, install it only when you have the appropriate access and package sources.

Troubleshoot incomplete or confusing results

The Settings menu is missing

You may be on Ubuntu Server, an older release, a different flavor, a remote session, WSL, a container or a minimal virtual machine. Run:

lsb_release --description

Then fall back to:

cat /etc/os-release

lsb_release prints only a description

That is expected when you use --description or -d. Use lsb_release -a for the release number and codename as separate fields.

lsb_release still fails

Inspect /etc/os-release. A custom image or restricted environment may not provide every standard field. Check all available identification lines with:

grep -E '^(NAME|PRETTY_NAME|VERSION_ID|VERSION_CODENAME|ID)=' /etc/os-release

The codename is absent

That is not necessarily an error. The os-release format permits optional fields, and PRETTY_NAME or VERSION_ID may be sufficient for your task.

The result says only “Ubuntu”

Try both sources:

lsb_release -a

cat /etc/os-release

If both are incomplete, you may be using a modified image, derivative distribution or container whose release metadata has been reduced. Do not guess the version from a kernel string or from the desktop theme.

You are looking at the wrong machine

In SSH, WSL, a virtual machine and a container, commands report the environment where they execute. Confirm the hostname or session before recording the result, especially when several terminals are open.

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Script-safe version checks

Scripts should avoid parsing the prose produced by lsb_release --description. Read standardized fields instead:

. /etc/os-release
case "$ID" in
  ubuntu) printf 'Ubuntu %sn' "$VERSION_ID" ;;
  *) printf 'Unsupported operating system: %sn' "$ID" >&2; exit 1 ;;
esac

Use VERSION_ID for numeric release logic and PRETTY_NAME for human-facing output. Treat VERSION_CODENAME as optional, and test that it is set before using it. If a script must work on non-Ubuntu distributions, check ID rather than assuming every os-release file describes Ubuntu.

For a simple display in a shell script, source the file and print the field you need. For a compatibility decision, first verify ID is ubuntu, then compare VERSION_ID against the supported values your script is designed to handle. Avoid searching for a version substring in PRETTY_NAME: the display name is intended for people and may include words such as “LTS” or a point-release suffix. Also allow for optional fields to be absent rather than assuming every image supplies a codename.

Choose the right version-checking method

There is no need to run every command. Match the method to the question:

• Need a quick visual check on a standard desktop? Open Settings → System → About.
• Already at a terminal and want a readable answer? Run lsb_release --description.
• Using a minimal server or seeing “command not found”? Read /etc/os-release.
• Writing a script or automation? Read ID, VERSION_ID and, when needed, VERSION_CODENAME from /etc/os-release.
• Checking a driver or kernel compatibility issue? Run uname -r for the running kernel, not the Ubuntu release.

Settings is convenient for a person at the desktop, while lsb_release is a compact human-readable terminal check. The release file is the portable fallback and a better source for scripts. hostnamectl can be convenient where available, but is not as dependable in minimal or containerized environments. Choosing one appropriate command is usually faster and clearer than combining several unrelated system-information outputs.

Quick reference

Situation	Path or command	What it tells you
Current Ubuntu Desktop	Settings → System → About	Operating System field with the release and often LTS status
Normal terminal	lsb_release --description	Human-readable Ubuntu release
Detailed terminal output	lsb_release -a	Distributor, description, release and codename
Minimal system or missing command	cat /etc/os-release	Standardized OS name, version ID and optional codename
Compact script value	. /etc/os-release && printf '%sn' "$VERSION_ID"	Machine-readable numeric release
Kernel compatibility check	uname -r	Running Linux kernel, not the Ubuntu release
Remote Ubuntu host	ssh [email protected] 'lsb_release --description'	Release of the remote environment
Systemd-based convenience check	hostnamectl	May show OS, kernel and architecture; not available everywhere

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the quickest command to check my Ubuntu version?

Run lsb_release --description in a terminal. It prints a readable result such as Description: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. If the command is unavailable, use cat /etc/os-release.

How can I check the Ubuntu version without a desktop?

Use lsb_release --description on Ubuntu Server or another terminal-only installation. If lsb_release is missing, inspect /etc/os-release; a graphical Settings application is not required.

How do I find the Ubuntu codename?

Run lsb_release -a and look for Codename, or inspect VERSION_CODENAME in /etc/os-release. The field may be absent on a customized image, so use VERSION_ID or PRETTY_NAME if those are available.

How do I tell whether my Ubuntu release is LTS?

Check the Settings Operating System field or run lsb_release --description; the human-readable name commonly includes LTS. You can also inspect PRETTY_NAME in /etc/os-release. To confirm current support, check Ubuntu’s live release list and release policy, since support depends on the release and package coverage.

What does Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS mean?

24.04 identifies the April 2024 base release, .4 marks its fourth point release, and LTS means Long Term Support. The point release is a refreshed installation image within the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS series, not a separate base series.

Is uname -r the Ubuntu version?

No. uname -r reports the currently running Linux kernel, for example 6.14.0-xx-generic. Use lsb_release --description or /etc/os-release to identify the Ubuntu release.

Does the same command work in WSL, SSH, a VM or a container?

Generally, yes: run lsb_release --description or read /etc/os-release inside the environment you want to identify. The result describes that WSL distribution, remote host, guest system or container image—not necessarily the Windows or physical host.

What should I do if lsb_release says “command not found”?

Try cat /etc/os-release first. Installing the lsb-release package is optional if the file already provides the version; only install it if you specifically need that command and have working repositories and administrative access.

How do I check Ubuntu’s version in a script?

Read standardized fields from /etc/os-release. Use ID to verify the system is Ubuntu and VERSION_ID for release comparisons. Use PRETTY_NAME for display and treat VERSION_CODENAME as optional.

The Bottom Line

For a quick answer, use lsb_release --description or check Settings → System → About. If the command or desktop page is unavailable, use /etc/os-release. Check uname -r only when you need the kernel, and verify support dates against Ubuntu’s current release list rather than assuming an identified release is still supported.

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