I am a new proud Linux user. My question to you is – how do I check Linux Kernel version? How do I find my Linux Kernel Version installed on my PC? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Introduction : The Linux kernel is the central (core) component of Linux operating systems. Its responsibilities include managing the system’s resources and the communication between hardware and software components.
Commands to find your Linux Kernel Version
To check Linux Kernel version, try the following commands:
- uname -r : Find Linux kernel version
- cat /proc/version : Show Linux kernel version with help of a special file
- hostnamectl | grep Kernel : For systemd based Linux distro you can use hotnamectl to display hostname and running Linux kernel version
Let us see all commands in details.
How to check kernel version on Linux server/desktop/laptop
You need to use then uname command to print certain system information including kernel name. Type the following command to print kernel version number:
$ uname -r
Sample outputs:
4.15.0-39-generic
So my Linux kernel version is 4.15.0-39.
Understanding uname command options
To print certain system information you use uname command. It has the following options:
| -a, OR --all | print all information |
| -s, OR --kernel-name | print the kernel name |
| -n, OR --nodename | print the network node hostname |
| -r, OR --kernel-release | print the Linux kernel release |
| -v, OR --kernel-version | print the kernel version |
| -m, OR --machine | print the machine hardware name |
| -p, OR --processor | print the processor type or “unknown” |
| -i, OR --hardware-platform | print the hardware platform or “unknown” |
| -o, OR --operating-system | print the operating system |
Find Linux kernel using /proc/version file
Another option is to type the following cat command:
$ cat /proc/version
Sample outputs:
Linux version 4.19.2 (vivek@nixcraft-asus.nixcraft.com) (gcc version 7.3.0 (Ubuntu 7.3.0-27ubuntu1~18.04)) #1 SMP Fri Nov 16 01:38:13 IST 2018
How to find your Linux Kernel version using hostnamect
Type the hostnamectl command along with grep command:
$ hostnamectl
$ hostnamectl | grep Kernel
Related media
This tutorial is also available in a quick video format:
Conclusion
You learned three diffent commands to display and show Linux kernel version on screen. For more info see the following pages too:
- How to compile and install Linux Kernel from source code
- How do I Upgrade Linux kernel?
- Linux kernel source code here
- How To Find Out FreeBSD Version and Patch Level Number
- How To Find Which Linux Kernel Version Is Installed On My System
- Find Linux / UNIX Kernel Version Command
- How To Find Out If 32 or 64 bit Unix OS Installed On Server
- Linux: Find If Processor (CPU) is 64 bit / 32 bit [long mode ~ lm]
- List or Check Installed Linux Kernels
- Find Linux Kernel Version Command
- Linux Command: Show Linux Version
