Table of contents
Your Joomla version matters when choosing compatible extensions, preparing updates or contacting technical support. You can find it in the administrator dashboard. This guide explains where to look, what the version numbers mean and which Joomla release series are supported.
How to check your installed Joomla version
The most reliable method is to open System Information in your website’s administrator area. You need an account with permission to access this section.
Joomla 4, 5 and 6
- Sign in to the administrator dashboard.
- Open System.
- Find the Information panel and select System Information.
- Locate the Joomla! Version row.
The default administrator template may also display the version in the top bar. Its visibility depends on your settings and window width. If it is missing from the header, you can still check it in System Information.
Joomla 3
Open System → System Information and locate Joomla! Version. The default administrator template may also display the number at the bottom right of the page.
Joomla 3 is an outdated release series. These instructions can help you check an existing website before migrating to a supported version.
What the version numbers mean
A version number has three parts: major.minor.patch. For example, in 6.1.4:
- 6 is the major version. Moving between major versions may affect extension and template compatibility.
- 1 is the minor version. Minor releases introduce features within a major series.
- 4 is the patch version. Patch releases fix bugs and security vulnerabilities.
Compare each part as a whole number: version 5.4.10 is newer than 5.4.9. 6.x refers to the entire Joomla 6 series, while 6.1.x refers to releases within version 6.1.
Which Joomla versions are supported?
As of 30 September 2026, the following release series are relevant.
| Series | Latest stable release | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Joomla 6 | 6.1.4 | Supported; receives new features and fixes |
| Joomla 5 | 5.4.9 | Supported; receives fixes |
| Joomla 4 | — | Standard support has ended |
| Joomla 3 and earlier | — | Standard support has ended |
Under the published schedule, regular bug fixes for Joomla 5 are planned until 13 October 2026, with security fixes continuing until 12 October 2027. The corresponding dates for Joomla 6 are 17 October 2028 and 16 October 2029. These plans may change.
Support for a major series does not cover every older release within it. Use the current minor series with the latest patches.
Stable and test releases
The label following a version number indicates its release stage:
- Alpha — an early version for testing features under development.
- Beta — a test release intended to help identify bugs.
- RC, Release Candidate — a candidate for the final release.
- Stable, GA — a stable release intended for general use.
Choose a stable release from a supported series for a live website. Test prerelease versions on a separate copy.
EOL — End of Life marks the end of a release series’ lifecycle. EOS — End of Support means support has ended. When using this term, check whether it refers to regular bug fixes or security fixes as well.
How updates are released
After the first release in a series, such as 6.1.0, patches follow: 6.1.1, 6.1.2 and so on. New features are prepared for the next minor version, while changes affecting compatibility are reserved for the next major version.
Two major series may be supported at the same time. The release of Joomla 6 therefore did not immediately end support for Joomla 5.
Before updating, check the compatibility of your extensions, template and server environment. Create a backup and test the update on a copy of your website first.
Where to download Joomla
Full installation packages and available update packages are listed in the Download Joomla section.
For a new website, choose the current stable release, taking your hosting requirements and extension compatibility into account. For an existing website, use Joomla’s supported update mechanism.
What to check on your website
Open System Information and note the complete Joomla version number. Then check whether your release series is supported and whether updates are available. This information will help you choose extensions, prepare an update or describe a problem accurately when asking for assistance.