how to check Ubuntu version

Below we can find some tips on how to check Ubuntu version you are currently running.

The first place to look for Ubuntu version is to look inside /etc/issue file. From terminal run command:

**$ cat /etc/issue
**Ubuntu Xenial Xerus \n \l

To obtain a Ubuntu release number check content of /etc/lsb-release file:

$ cat /etc/lsb-release

DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=16.04
DISTRIB_CODENAME=xenial
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu Xenial Xerus

Additional information regarding Ubuntu version can be found within /etc/os-release:

NAME="Ubuntu"
VERSION="16.04 (Xenial Xerus)"
ID=ubuntu
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 16.04"
VERSION_ID="16.04"
HOME_URL="http://www.ubuntu.com/"
SUPPORT_URL="http://help.ubuntu.com/"
BUG_REPORT_URL="http://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/"
UBUNTU_CODENAME=xenial

Furthermore, the following command will provide you with a neat output of your current Ubuntu version:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description: Ubuntu Xenial Xerus (development branch)
Release: 16.04
Codename: xenial