---
name: "lsb_release"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "lsb-release"
version: "2.0.r55.a25a4fc-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lsb_release"
---

# lsb\_release(1)

manual page for FSG lsb\_release v2.0

## NAME

FSG - manual page for FSG lsb\_release v2.0

## SYNOPSIS

**lsb\_release** \[*OPTION*\]...

## DESCRIPTION

FSG lsb\_release v2.0 prints certain LSB (Linux Standard Base) and Distribution information.

With no OPTION specified defaults to **-v**.

## OPTIONS

**-v**, **--version**

-

  Display the version of the LSB specification against which the distribution is compliant.

**-i**, **--id**

-

  Display the string id of the distributor.

**-d**, **--description**

-

  Display the single line text description of the distribution.

**-r**, **--release**

-

  Display the release number of the distribution.

**-c**, **--codename**

-

  Display the codename according to the distribution release.

**-a**, **--all**

-

  Display all of the above information.

**-s**, **--short**

-

  Use short output format for information requested by other options (or version if none).

**-h**, **--help**

-

  Display this message.

## FILES

If the installation is LSB compliant, the **"/etc/lsb-release"** file should contain the **LSB\_VERSION** field.  The value of the field should be a colon separated list of supported module versions indicating the LSB specification  modules to which the installation is compliant. If the installation is not compliant, the above field should  **not** be present.

Optional fields are **DISTRIB\_ID**, **DISTRIB\_RELEASE**, **DISTRIB\_CODENAME**, **DISTRIB\_DESCRIPTION** and can be used to override information which is parsed from the  **"/etc/***distrib***-release"** file.

If the **"/etc/lsb-release.d"** directory exists, it is searched for filenames which are taken as additional module-version strings to add to **LSB\_VERSION**.

The **"/etc/***distrib***-release"** file contains a description line which is parsed to get information (especially on currently non-LSB compliant systems).

The required line style is:\
 "*Distributor* **release** *x.x* **(***Codename***)**"

Where *Distributor* can be a couple of words, but then concatenated (i.e. Linux Foo BarLinux Linux -\> FooBarLinux),\
 *x.x* starts with a digit followed by any non-blank characters, *Codename* will also be concatenated (blanks cleanup only).

**release** may not be used as a keyword in **DISTRIB\_DESCRIPTION** if you don't want to override **"/etc/***distrib***-release"** data.

**Notice:** To support the **Debian** distributions' lack of information (see "/etc/debian\_version" file) some have been directly added into the **lsb\_release** script.

## EXAMPLES

If the "**/etc/lsb-release**" file contains:

LSB\_VERSION="core-2.0-ia64:core-2.0-noarch"\
 DISTRIB\_DESCRIPTION="I enjoy using my distrib"

and the "**/etc/lsb-release.d**" directory contains:

graphics-2.0-ia64    graphics-2.0-noarch

and the "**/etc/foobar-release**" file contains:

My Linux Distrib release 1.0RC4 (TryIt)

Then the results of various options will be:

**$ ./lsb\_release --all**\
 LSB Version:    core-2.0-ia64:core-2.0-noarch:graphics-2.0-ia64:graphics-2.0-noarch\
 Distributor ID: MyDistrib\
 Description:    I enjoy using my distrib\
 Release:        1.0RC4\
 Codename:       TryIt

**$ ./lsb\_release -a -s**\
 1\.0 MyDistrib "I enjoy using my distrib" 1.0RC4 TryIt

If the "/etc/lsb-release" file is absent (indicating this is not an LSB compliant distribution), the result will be:

**$ ./lsb\_release -a**\
 LSB Version:    n/a\
 Distributor ID: MyDistrib\
 Description:    My Linux Distrib release 1.0RC4 (TryIt)\
 Release:        1.0RC4\
 Codename:       TryIt

## REPORTING BUGS

Report bugs at http://bugs.linuxbase.org. Please include a complete, self-contained example that will allow the bug to be reproduced, and say which version of lsb\_release you are using.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2000, 2002, 2004 Free Standards Group, Inc.\
 This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Originally written by Dominique MASSONIE.