Ubuntu releases

Release cadence

Ubuntu follows a strict time-based release cycle. Every six months since 2004, Canonical publishes a new Ubuntu version (series) and its set of packages are declared stable (production-quality).

Simultaneously, a new version begins development; it is given its own Code name, but is also referred to as the “Current Release in Development” or “Devel” for short.

Every Ubuntu series receives the same production-grade support quality, but different types of release receive support for different lengths of time.

LTS releases

Since 2006, every fourth release, made every two years in April, receives Long Term Support (LTS). An estimated 95% of all Ubuntu installations are LTS releases.

LTS releases receive five years of standard security maintenance for all packages in the main component. An Ubuntu Pro subscription provides access to Expanded Security Maintenance (ESM), which includes security fixes for packages in the universe component, and covers both main and universe beyond the five years of standard support.

Note

Due to the strict time-based six-monthly release cycle, LTS releases only happen in even-numbered years (e.g. 20, 22, 24) in April (04). The only exception to this rule was Ubuntu 6.06 LTS (Dapper Drake).

Point releases

To ensure that a fresh install of an LTS release works on newer hardware and does not require a large download of additional updates, Canonical publishes point releases that include all the updates made so far.

The first point release of an LTS is published three months after the initial release, and repeated approximately every six months at least until the next LTS is published. In practice, Canonical may publish even more point releases for an LTS series, if it turns out to be popular.

For example, the Ubuntu 16.04.7 LTS (Xenial Xerus) point release was published more than four years after the initial release of Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

Interim releases

In the years between LTS releases, Canonical also produces interim releases, sometimes also called “regular releases”.

Many developers use interim releases because they provide newer compilers or access to newer kernels and newer libraries. They are often used inside rapid DevOps processes like CI/CD pipelines where the lifespan of an artifact is likely to be shorter than the support period of the interim release.

Interim releases are production-quality and supported for nine months, with enough time provided for users to update – but these releases do not receive the long-term commitment of LTS releases.

Why does Ubuntu use time-based releases?

Ubuntu releases represent an aggregation of the work of thousands of independent software projects. The time-based release process provides users with the best balance of the latest software, tight integration, and excellent overall quality.

Ubuntu version format

YY.MM[.POINT-RELEASE] [LTS]

Ubuntu version identifier as used for Ubuntu releases consist of four components, which are:

YY

The 2-digit year number of the initial release.

MM

The 2-digit month number of the initial release.

POINT-RELEASE

The point release number starts at 1 and increments with every additional point release.

This component is omitted for the initial release, in which case zero is assumed.

LTS

Any Ubuntu release that receives Long Term Support is marked with LTS.

Any Ubuntu release that does not receive long term support omits this component.

A full list of all the current releases, their codenames, release notes, and supported lifetimes can be found on the List of releases page.

Editions

Ubuntu Desktop provides a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for everyday computing tasks, making it suitable for personal computers and laptops. Ubuntu Server, on the other hand, provides a Text-based User Interface (TUI), optimized for server environments, which allows machines on the server to be run headless, focusing on server-related services and applications, making it ideal for hosting web services, databases, and other server functions.

Additionally, each release of Ubuntu is available in minimal configurations, which have the fewest possible packages installed: available in the installer for Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Desktop, and as separate cloud images.

Ubuntu is also available for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Ubuntu on WSL provides a full terminal-based development environment on Windows that is less resource-intensive than a traditional VM or dual-boot setup. Since Ubuntu 24.04.2 LTS (Noble Numbat), LTS releases of Ubuntu are made available as tar-based images, which can be installed without the Microsoft Store.

Canonical publishes Ubuntu on all major public clouds, and the latest image for each LTS version will always include any security updates provided since the LTS release date, until two weeks prior to the image creation date.

Ubuntu flavors

Ubuntu flavors are distributions of the default Ubuntu releases that choose their own default applications and settings. Ubuntu flavours are owned and developed by members of the Ubuntu community and backed by the full Ubuntu Archive for packages and updates.

Officially recognized flavors are:

In addition to the officially recognized flavors, dozens of other Linux distributions take Ubuntu as a base for their own distinctive ideas and approaches.

Flavors generally support their releases for 3 years in LTS versions (although there can be exceptions).

Further reading