Learn
How to Know Which Linux Distribution and Version You Have Installed
Quick commands to identify your Linux distribution and its exact version number.
cat /etc/os-release
Shows the distribution's name, its version, and other identifying data — it works on practically any modern distribution, whichever it is.
Just the kernel version
uname -r
Distribution and kernel are different things: the distribution (Ubuntu, Fedora, Mint...) is the complete system; the kernel is the internal core that manages the hardware, shared at the base across all distributions though with different versions.
Frequently asked questions
Does this command work on any distribution?
Yes, 'cat /etc/os-release' is a widely adopted standard that works on practically all modern Linux distributions.
What is the difference between the distribution version and the kernel version?
The distribution is the complete system (Ubuntu 24.04, for example); the kernel is the internal core that manages the hardware, with its own independent version number.