How to Check Linux Version

Last Updated: March 21, 2022 Tested

Are you using a Linux computer? Are you not sure which version of Linux you are using? There are many different Linux distributions that function very differently. Some distributions have a different desktop environment with different features. Sometimes you may need to figure out which desktop environment you are using. Additionally, the Linux kernel, which is the core component of all Linux distributions gets updated frequently. This wikiHow article teaches you how to check which version of Linux you are using as well as which Linux distribution you are using.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Terminal

1
Press the Terminal
. It normally has an icon that resembles a black screen with a white cursor. Click the Terminal icon in the Apps menu or press Ctrl + Alt + T to open the Terminal.
2
Type cat /etc/*-release and press ↵ Enter. This shows you which Linux distribution you are using. You can see which Linux distribution you are using next to "NAME=" or "ID=" near the top of the list. You can check which distribution version you are using next to "VERSION_ID=".
- Alternatively, you can type lsb_release -a and press Enter. It will say which Linux distribution you are using next to "Distributor ID" and it will say which version of the Linux distribution you are using next to "Release."
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3
Type echo $XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP and press ↵ Enter. This prints out your current desktop environment (i.e. "ubuntu:GNOME").
4
Type uname -mrs and press ↵ Enter. This displays which version of the Linux kernel you are using as well as what architecture you are using. It will say what version of the Linux kernel you are using after "Linux" at the beginning of the output return. It says what architecture you are using at the end of the output return. If it says "x86-32" or just "x86," you are using a 32-bit system. If it says "x86-64" or "x64," you are using a 64-bit system.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Checking your Linux Distribution in the Settings Menu

1
Open the Apps menu
. On most Linux distributions, it has an icon that resembles 9 squares arranged in a grid. Click this icon to open the Apps menu. It is usually in the dock on the left side or at the bottom of the screen.
2
Open the Settings menu. On most Linux distributions, it has an icon that resembles a gear or a set of slider bars. Locate the Settings app in the Apps menu and click the icon to open the Settings menu.
- Alternatively, you can open the Settings menu from the Power menu on most Linux distributions.
3
Click About. On most Linux distributions, it should be near the bottom of the navigation menu to the left of the Settings menu. This displays information about your operating system and Linux distribution.
- On some Linux distributions, this may say "Details" or something similar.
4
Check your Linux distribution next to "OS Name." On some Linux distributions, this may be list as "Distribution" or similar. It will say what Linux distribution you are using as well as what version of that distribution you are using (i.e. Ubuntu 20.04.3, Fedora Linux 35, etc).
5
Check your architecture next to "OS Type." On some distributions, this may be listed as "Architecture" or something similar. This tells you if you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Linux.^{[2]
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6
Check your desktop environment. Your desktop environment should be listed in the About menu. Where it is listed may be different depending on which desktop environment you are using. On Ubuntu, it is listed below "OS Type" (i.e. GNOME). It should also display which version of your desktop environment you are using.