OpenJDK is the open-source reference implementation of Java. This guide covers the OpenJDK 8 download and install steps for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, and Oracle Linux, plus how to grab JDK 9 and newer builds when you need them. Commands change slightly by distribution, so pick the section that matches your system.
What to Know Before Your OpenJDK 8 Download
OpenJDK ships in two forms. The JRE (Java Runtime Environment) runs Java programs. The JDK (Java Development Kit) bundles the JRE with a compiler and the tools you need to write and compile Java code.
Developers need the JDK. If you only run Java apps, the JRE is enough. That single choice decides which package you install below.
OpenJDK 8 Download on Debian and Ubuntu
Open a terminal and install just the runtime:
sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jre
To write or compile Java programs, install the development kit instead:
sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jdk
The openjdk-8-jre package gives you everything needed to run Java apps. The openjdk-8-jdk package adds the compiler and other development tools on top. If you want to see every flag the installer accepts, this apt-get command options reference breaks them down.
On newer releases you can swap in the APT package tool and run sudo apt install openjdk-8-jdk for the same result.
OpenJDK 8 Download on Fedora, Red Hat, and Oracle Linux
On rpm-based distributions, install the runtime with:
su -c "yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk"
For development tools, run:
su -c "yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel"
The package names differ from Debian systems, but the split between runtime and development packages works the same way.
Downloading JDK 9 and Later Versions
For JDK 9 and newer, binary builds live on release-specific pages at jdk.java.net. Each version has its own page. JDK 13 binaries, for example, were posted at jdk.java.net/13. Archives come as .tar.gz or .zip depending on your platform.
Extract a .tar.gz file with:
tar xvf openjdk-13*_bin.tar.gz
Or for a zip archive:
unzip openjdk-13*_bin.zip
The wildcard handles version-specific suffixes for you. If the options are new to you, this tar command reference covers the extraction flags, and this guide to extract zip archives on Linux does the same for .zip files.
OpenJDK Package Names by Version
| JDK Version | Debian / Ubuntu | RPM-Based |
|---|---|---|
| JDK 6 | openjdk-6-jre / openjdk-6-jdk | java-1.6.0-openjdk / java-1.6.0-openjdk-devel |
| JDK 7 | openjdk-7-jre / openjdk-7-jdk | java-1.7.0-openjdk / java-1.7.0-openjdk-devel |
| JDK 8 | openjdk-8-jre / openjdk-8-jdk | java-1.8.0-openjdk / java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel |
| JDK 9+ | Download from jdk.java.net | Download from jdk.java.net |
Installing Older JDK Versions
JDK 7 on Debian or Ubuntu:
sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jdk
JDK 7 on Fedora or Red Hat:
su -c "yum install java-1.7.0-openjdk" su -c "yum install java-1.7.0-openjdk-devel"
JDK 6 on Debian or Ubuntu:
sudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jre sudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jdk
JDK 6 on Fedora or Red Hat:
su -c "yum install java-1.6.0-openjdk" su -c "yum install java-1.6.0-openjdk-devel"
In every pair, the -devel or -jdk package is the one that adds the compiler.
OpenJDK on BSD Systems
For BSD-based systems including DragonFly BSD, FreeBSD, macOS, NetBSD, and OpenBSD, the BSD Port project maintains a list of available packages. The OpenJDK BSD porting project wiki at wiki.openjdk.org/display/BSDPort/Main points to the right package for each platform.
After extracting a JDK archive by hand on these systems, you may need to mark the binaries executable. This walkthrough on setting file permissions with chmod shows how the read, write, and execute bits work.
FAQs
Is the OpenJDK 8 download free?
Yes. OpenJDK 8 is open-source and free to download, use, and redistribute under the GNU GPL with a classpath exception. No license fee or subscription applies for either the JRE or the JDK.
Should I install the JRE or the JDK?
Install the JDK if you write or compile Java code, since it includes the compiler. Install the JRE if you only run Java applications. The JDK contains the JRE, so developers never need both.
How do I check my installed OpenJDK version?
Run java -version in a terminal. It prints the OpenJDK release, such as 1.8.0_322, along with the runtime and server VM build numbers. An error usually means Java is not on your PATH.
What is the difference between OpenJDK and Oracle JDK?
Both build from the same source. OpenJDK is free for any use. Oracle JDK adds commercial support and, for some uses, requires a paid Java SE subscription under Oracle’s license terms.
Where do I download JDK 9 or later?
Get JDK 9 and newer from version-specific pages at jdk.java.net, one page per release. Download the .tar.gz or .zip for your platform, then extract it with tar or unzip.
