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Table of Contents
Check Debian Version
This guide explains several ways to check your Debian version from the command line.
Quick Reference
| Method | Command |
|---|---|
| Recommended | cat /etc/os-release |
| Version number only | cat /etc/debian_version |
| Distribution summary | lsb_release -a |
| Hostname and OS info | hostnamectl |
| Kernel version | uname -r |
lsb_release
The lsb_release command displays Linux Standard Base (LSB) information about the distribution. It is a clean way to print release details when the package is installed. To display full release information:
| X86 | Raspberry |
|---|---|
# lsb_release -a ---------------- No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Debian Description: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) Release: 12 Codename: bookworm | # lsb_release -a ---------------- No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Raspbian Description: Raspbian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm) Release: 12 Codename: bookworm |
/etc/debian_version
The /etc/debian_version file contains the Debian version number as a simple string.This file is always present on Debian systems and does not require any additional packages. The output shows the installed Debian point release.
| X86 | Raspberry |
|---|---|
# cat /etc/debian_version ------------------------- 12.15 | # cat /etc/debian_version ------------------------- 12.8 |
/etc/os-release
The /etc/os-release file contains operating system identification data in a key-value format:
| X86 | Raspberry |
|---|---|
# cat /etc/os-release --------------------- PRETTY_NAME="Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)" NAME="Debian GNU/Linux" VERSION_ID="12" VERSION="12 (bookworm)" VERSION_CODENAME=bookworm ID=debian HOME_URL="https://www.debian.org/" SUPPORT_URL="https://www.debian.org/support" BUG_REPORT_URL="https://bugs.debian.org/" | # cat /etc/os-release --------------------- PRETTY_NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)" NAME="Raspbian GNU/Linux" VERSION_ID="12" VERSION="12 (bookworm)" VERSION_CODENAME=bookworm ID=raspbian ID_LIKE=debian HOME_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/" SUPPORT_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/RaspbianForums" BUG_REPORT_URL="http://www.raspbian.org/RaspbianBugs" |
hostnamectl
The hostnamectl command displays the hostname and other system information, including the operating system version. The Debian version is shown on the “Operating System” line.
| X86 | Raspberry |
|---|---|
# hostnamectl
-------------
Static hostname: pcwerkkamer
Icon name: computer-desktop
Chassis: desktop 🖥️
Machine ID: 006d83905710476d87e31bb1d873c52f
Boot ID: 863769c34bfc4c14ae25cab5a5acd495
Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Kernel: Linux 6.1.0-52-amd64
Architecture: x86-64
Hardware Vendor: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
Hardware Model: Z77MX-D3H
Firmware Version: F17b
| # hostnamectl
-------------
Static hostname: domoticz
Icon name: computer
Machine ID: 12b558257a8f41a78fd44d8660ea1048
Boot ID: 12b91d670c26459b930cdcd197ddc3c4
Operating System: Raspbian GNU/Linux 12 (bookworm)
Kernel: Linux 6.6.20+rpt-rpi-v7
Architecture: arm
|
uname
The uname command does not show the Debian version directly, but it displays the kernel version, which can help identify the release.
# uname -r ---------- 6.1.0-52-amd64 # uname -a ---------- Linux pcwerkkamer 6.1.0-52-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.1.180-1 (2026-08-03) x86_64 GNU/Linux | # uname -r ---------- 6.6.20+rpt-rpi-v7 # uname -a ---------- Linux domoticz 6.6.20+rpt-rpi-v7 #1 SMP Raspbian 1:6.6.20-1+rpt1 (2024-03-07) armv7l GNU/Linux |
Debian Releases and Codenames
Debian codenames come from characters in the Toy Story movies, and each release keeps its codename for life. The table below lists recent releases and how long each one receives security support:
| Version | Codename | Released | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | forky | Not yet released | Current testing |
| Debian 13 | trixie | August 2025 | Current stable (13.6) |
| Debian 12 | bookworm | June 2023 | Oldstable, LTS until June 2028 |
| Debian 11 | bullseye | August 2021 | LTS ends 31 August 2026 |
| Debian 10 | buster | July 2019 | LTS ended, ELTS until June 2029 |
| Debian 9 | stretch | June 2017 | LTS ended, ELTS until June 2027 |
| Debian 8 | jessie | April 2015 | End of life |
Each release gets roughly three years of regular security support, after which the LTS team takes over for about two more years.