How to Check Ubuntu Version: Command Line, GUI, Server & WSL

To check Ubuntu version from the command line, run:

lsb_release -a

If you only need the Ubuntu version number, run:

lsb_release -rs

If lsb_release is not installed, use:

cat /etc/os-release

These commands answer the common questions: which Ubuntu version am I running, how do I get Ubuntu version, and what is the Ubuntu version command.

You do not need sudo for these checks. They only read OS information that is already available to normal users.

Quick Ubuntu Version Commands

Ubuntu version and Linux kernel version are not the same. Ubuntu version means values such as 22.04, 24.04, 25.10, or 26.04. Kernel version means values such as 6.8.0-xx-generic or 7.0.0-xx-generic.

Method 1: Check Ubuntu Version with lsb_release

The most common Ubuntu version command is:

lsb_release -a

Tested output on Ubuntu 25.04:

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 25.04
Release:        25.04
Codename:       plucky

Here is what each field means:

Use this method when you want the clearest answer for searches like check ubuntu version, ubuntu version check, ubuntu version command, or command to check ubuntu version.

Method 2: Get Only the Ubuntu Version Number

If you only want the Ubuntu version number, use:

lsb_release -rs

Tested output on Ubuntu 25.04:

25.04

To get the full release description in one line:

lsb_release -ds

Tested output on Ubuntu 25.04:

Ubuntu 25.04

To get the Ubuntu codename:

lsb_release -cs

Tested output on Ubuntu 25.04:

plucky

The codename matters when adding repositories because many Ubuntu repository URLs use codenames such as jammy, noble, or resolute.

Method 3: Find Ubuntu Version from os-release

The /etc/os-release file is one of the most reliable ways to detect Ubuntu version because it is available on modern Linux systems even when lsb_release is not installed.

Display the file using the cat command:

cat /etc/os-release

Tested output on Ubuntu 25.04:

PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 25.04"
NAME="Ubuntu"
VERSION_ID="25.04"
VERSION="25.04 (Plucky Puffin)"
VERSION_CODENAME=plucky
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
HOME_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="https://help.ubuntu.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/"
PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.ubuntu.com/legal/terms-and-policies/privacy-policy"
UBUNTU_CODENAME=plucky
LOGO=ubuntu-logo

The most useful fields are:

For a clean one-line output:

. /etc/os-release && echo "$PRETTY_NAME"

For only the version number:

. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_ID"

For only the codename:

. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME"

For scripts, prefer ID, VERSION_ID, and VERSION_CODENAME instead of parsing the full PRETTY_NAME string. If /etc/os-release is not available on an unusual system, check /usr/lib/os-release as the fallback.

This method is ideal for queries like get ubuntu version, find ubuntu version, detect ubuntu version, ubuntu get version number, and linux ubuntu version command.

Method 4: Check Ubuntu Version with hostnamectl

On systemd-based Ubuntu systems, hostnamectl shows operating system and kernel details together:

hostnamectl

Output on a normal Ubuntu system looks similar to this:

Static hostname: ubuntu-server
Operating System: Ubuntu 25.04
Kernel: Linux 6.14.0-37-generic
Architecture: x86-64

Look for the Operating System line to find the Ubuntu version.

Use hostnamectl when you also want to see hostname, architecture, and kernel information. If you only need the Ubuntu release number, use lsb_release -rs or /etc/os-release instead.

In minimal containers, restricted shells, or environments without access to the systemd bus, hostnamectl may fail. Use cat /etc/os-release in that case.

Method 5: Check Ubuntu Version from lsb-release File

Ubuntu systems often include the /etc/lsb-release file. You can read it directly:

cat /etc/lsb-release

Tested output on Ubuntu 25.04:

DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=25.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=plucky
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 25.04"

The key fields are:

If this file does not exist, use /etc/os-release.

Method 6: Check Ubuntu Version with issue File

The /etc/issue file is a quick way to see the Ubuntu release shown before a local login prompt:

cat /etc/issue

Tested output on Ubuntu 25.04:

Ubuntu 25.04 \n \l

This is fast, but it is not the best source for scripts or automation. Use /etc/os-release when accuracy and portability matter.

Method 7: Check Ubuntu Version in GUI

If you are using Ubuntu Desktop:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select About.
3. Check the OS Name field.

The About page usually shows the Ubuntu version, GNOME version, windowing system, processor, memory, disk capacity, and OS type.

This method is best for desktop users who search for which Ubuntu version, how to see Ubuntu version, or which version of Ubuntu am I running.

Method 8: Check Ubuntu Version on Server or over SSH

On an Ubuntu server, you usually do not have a graphical interface. Use one of these commands after logging in with SSH:

lsb_release -a

or:

cat /etc/os-release

For a short server-friendly command:

. /etc/os-release && echo "$PRETTY_NAME"

If lsb_release is missing on a minimal server, install it with the apt command:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install lsb-release

You can also skip the install and rely on /etc/os-release, which is usually already present.

Method 9: Check Ubuntu Version in WSL

If you use Ubuntu through Windows Subsystem for Linux, open your Ubuntu terminal and run:

cat /etc/os-release

or:

lsb_release -a

This shows the Ubuntu userspace version installed inside WSL. It does not show your Windows version.

To list installed WSL distributions from Windows PowerShell:

wsl -l -v

That command shows WSL distribution names and WSL version, but for the actual Ubuntu release number, check inside Ubuntu with /etc/os-release.

Method 10: Check Ubuntu Version in a Container

Inside an Ubuntu Docker or container image, the most reliable command is:

cat /etc/os-release

For example:

docker run --rm ubuntu:26.04 cat /etc/os-release

Minimal containers may not include lsb_release, hostnamectl, or systemd. That is why /etc/os-release is the best first choice for containers.

Ubuntu Version vs Kernel Version

Many users confuse the Ubuntu OS version with the Linux kernel version. They answer different questions.

To check the kernel version:

uname -r

Tested output:

6.14.0-37-generic

To check the CPU architecture:

uname -m

Tested output:

x86_64

To check both OS and kernel in one place:

hostnamectl

Do not use uname -r when a guide asks for your Ubuntu version. It only shows the kernel version.

Ubuntu LTS vs Interim Releases

Ubuntu releases are usually available as LTS releases or interim releases.

• LTS releases are published every two years in April and receive a longer support window.
• Interim releases are published between LTS releases and are meant for users who want newer software sooner.

Examples:

If you are managing production servers, LTS releases are usually the safer choice because they receive longer maintenance and security updates.

You can confirm whether a release is still supported with Ubuntu's official release information. This matters before installing third-party repositories, running upgrades, or following package instructions that target only Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04, or 26.04.

Best Commands for Scripts

For scripts and automation, avoid scraping human-readable text when a machine-readable field exists.

To check whether the system is Ubuntu:

. /etc/os-release && [ "$ID" = "ubuntu" ] && echo "Ubuntu"

To print only the version number:

. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_ID"

To print the repository codename:

. /etc/os-release && echo "$VERSION_CODENAME"

This is more reliable than using grep and cut on lsb_release output because /etc/os-release is designed for OS identification.

Troubleshooting

lsb_release command not found

If the lsb_release command is missing, install it:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install lsb-release

Or use the standard OS release file:

cat /etc/os-release

hostnamectl does not work

hostnamectl depends on systemd. It may not work in minimal containers, some chroot environments, restricted shells, or stripped-down systems.

Use:

cat /etc/os-release

issue file shows less information

That is normal. /etc/issue is a login-banner style file. For reliable Ubuntu version detection, prefer:

lsb_release -a

or:

cat /etc/os-release

I only see the kernel version

If you ran:

uname -r

you checked the Linux kernel, not the Ubuntu release. Run this instead:

lsb_release -ds

Best Command to Check Ubuntu Version

If you want one command to remember, use:

lsb_release -a

If you are writing a script or checking a minimal server/container, use:

. /etc/os-release && echo "$PRETTY_NAME"

If you want only the version number, use:

lsb_release -rs

These commands cover almost every practical situation: desktop, server, SSH, WSL, container, and automation.

Summary

The best way to check Ubuntu version is lsb_release -a for normal desktop and server systems. For minimal servers, WSL, containers, and scripts, /etc/os-release is usually the most reliable source. Use hostnamectl when you also want kernel, architecture, and hostname details, and use the GUI About page when you are working on Ubuntu Desktop.