Knowing your Red Hat Enterprise Linux version helps you install compatible software and apply the right security patches. System administrators need this information when troubleshooting issues or planning upgrades.
Support teams ask for your RHEL release number before helping with technical problems. Package managers verify version compatibility before installing new applications.
You can find your RHEL version using simple terminal commands or graphical tools. Each method takes less than a minute to complete.
This guide shows you five reliable ways to check RHEL version in Linux systems running version 6 or newer.
How To Check RHEL Version in Linux?
Use the hostnamectl Command
Open your terminal and run this command:
hostnamectlThe output displays your system hostname, kernel version, and operating system details. Look for the “Operating System” line.
This line shows your complete RHEL release name and version number. The method works on RHEL 7 and later versions that use systemd.
Read the Red Hat Release File
Check the primary release file with this command:
cat /etc/redhat-releaseThe output shows your RHEL version in plain text. This file exists on all RHEL installations.
You get the release number immediately without parsing complex output. This approach works when managing Linux services remotely.
Check the OS Release File
Display detailed system information with:
cat /etc/os-releaseThis file contains structured data about your operating system. Find the VERSION_ID field for the exact version number.
The NAME field confirms you’re running genuine Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Scripts can parse this file to extract version information automatically.
Query RPM for Release Package
Check the installed release package directly:
rpm --query redhat-releaseThe package manager returns the release package name with the version number embedded. This method confirms the release package is properly installed.
You can verify package integrity while checking your RHEL version. This helps when troubleshooting package management issues.
View Settings in Desktop Environment
Click the system menu and select Settings. Navigate to the About section in the sidebar.
The OS Name field displays your current RHEL version. This visual method works if you have a graphical desktop installed.
Desktop environments make version checking accessible without terminal access. You can screenshot this information for documentation purposes.
FAQs
What’s the fastest way to check RHEL version?
Run cat /etc/redhat-release in your terminal. This command displays your RHEL version instantly without extra details. It works on all RHEL installations from version 5 onwards.
How do I verify RHEL version in a script?
Parse the /etc/os-release file and extract the VERSION_ID field. This file uses a consistent format across versions. Your script can read this value and make decisions based on the version.
Can I check RHEL version without root access?
Yes, all methods shown work with regular user permissions. The release files in /etc directory are readable by all users. You don’t need sudo or root privileges to view system version information.
Do CentOS and RHEL show different version numbers?
Yes, CentOS displays its own version numbers and distribution name. Check the ID field in /etc/os-release to distinguish between distributions. Genuine RHEL shows ID=”rhel” while CentOS shows ID=”centos”.
Which method works on older RHEL versions?
The cat /etc/redhat-release command works on all RHEL versions including legacy systems. The hostnamectl command requires RHEL 7 or newer. Always use the release file method for maximum compatibility.
