Knowing exactly which version of MySQL you are running is one of the most fundamental tasks for any developer or DBA. Version mismatches can cause silent compatibility of bugs, broken replication, unsupported SQL syntax, and failed upgrades. Whether you’re debugging a production issue, onboarding an existing project, or preparing a migration, you need this information quickly and accurately.
This guide covers every reliable method to check your MySQL version across all major platforms: Linux, macOS, and Windows, including command-line tools, SQL queries, configuration files, and GUI clients.
Quick Answer:
You can quickly check your MySQL version by running mysql –version in the terminal, which shows the installed MySQL client version. To check the actual database server version, log in to MySQL and run SELECT VERSION();. These commands work on Linux, Windows, and macOS. As of 2026, MySQL 8.4 LTS is the recommended long-term-support release, while MySQL 8.0 has reached end of life.
Note: MySQL 8.4 LTS is the current long-term-support release as of 2026. MySQL 8.0 reached end of life in April 2026, and MySQL 5.7 reached end of life in October 2023.
Understanding MySQL Version Numbers
Before checking your version, it helps to know what the numbers mean. MySQL follows a major.minor.patch format.
For example, 8.0.37 means: major version 8, minor version 0, and patch release 37. Minor-version changes can introduce behavioral or compatibility changes, while patch releases are typically safer bug-fix updates.
Method 01 — MySQL CLI: The version Flag
This is the fastest method and works without connecting to a running MySQL server. Open any terminal and run:
mysql –version
Copied!
You can also use the shorthand:
mysql -V
Copied!
Expected output:
mysql Ver 8.0.37 Distrib 8.0.37, for Linux (x86_64) using EditLine wrapper
Copied!
Important: This reads the version of the client binary (mysql), not necessarily the server. They can differ if you installed a different client version. Use Method 2 or 3 to confirm the server version.
Method 02 — Inside the MySQL Shell: VERSION () Function
This method connects to the live server and queries its actual version. First, log in to the MySQL shell:
mysql -u root -p
Copied!
Enter your password when prompted.
Once you are inside the MySQL prompt, run either of these:
SELECT VERSION();
Copied!
Or the more descriptive variant:
Sample output:
SELECT @@version, @@version_comment, @@version_compile_os;
Copied!
The @@version_comment variable tells you whether you’re running Community, Enterprise, or a cloud-managed distribution like Amazon RDS or Google Cloud SQL.
Method 03 — Using SHOW VARIABLES
This SQL command exposes all MySQL server system variables. To filter just version-related info:
SHOW VARIABLES LIKE ‘version%’;
Output:
This is especially useful in application code. In PHP, Python, or Node.js, you can run this query and parse the result to dynamically handle version-specific SQL syntax.
Method 04 — The status / \s Command Inside MySQL Shell
After logging into the MySQL shell, the built-in status command shows a comprehensive summary including the server version, connection info, and character set:
status
— or the shorthand:
\s
Copied!
Output (truncated):
mysql Ver 8.0.37 Distrib 8.0.37, for Linux (x86_64) using EditLine wrapper Connection id: 12 Current database: Current user: root@localhost SSL: Not in use Server version: 8.0.37 MySQL Community Server - GPL Protocol version: 10 Connection: Localhost via UNIX socket
Notice that both the client version (top line) and the server version are shown separately, which is handy for spotting client/server mismatches.
Method 05 — Linux: Package Manager Methods
If MySQL was installed through your distribution’s package manager, you can query the installed package version without connecting to the server.
Ubuntu / Debian (apt)
apt-cache policy mysql-server
# or for the client binary:
dpkg -l | grep mysql-server
Copied!
CentOS / RHEL / Fedora (rpm/dnf)
rpm -qa | grep mysql
# or:
dnf info mysql-server
Copied!
Check the server daemon binary version
mysqld –version
# Note: mysqld is the server daemon binary
Copied!
Warning: Package manager queries return the installed version, which may differ from the running version if the service has not been restarted after an upgrade. Always verify with SELECT VERSION(); inside the shell.
Method 06 — Windows: Services, Command Prompt & Installer
Method A — Command Prompt or PowerShell
Open CMD or PowerShell and run:
mysql –version
REM You may need to navigate to the MySQL bin folder first:
REM cd “C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 8.0\bin”
Copied!
Method B — Windows Services (services.msc)
Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Look for a service named MySQL80 (or MySQL57, etc.). The numeric suffix often indicates the major version.
Method C — MySQL Installer
Open MySQL Installer from the Start Menu. It displays all installed MySQL products with their exact version numbers in the main dashboard.
Method D — Windows Add/Remove Programs
Go to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps and search for “MySQL”. The version is listed alongside the application name.
Method 07 — macOS: Homebrew & System Preferences
Homebrew (most common on macOS)
brew info mysql
# Output shows installed and the latest available version
# Or check what’s installed:
brew list –versions | grep mysql
Copied!
MySQL.app / Native Package
/usr/local/mysql/bin/mysql –version
# or for Apple Silicon Macs:
/opt/homebrew/bin/mysql –version
Copied!
System Preferences Pane
If you installed MySQL via the official .dmg package, a MySQL preference pane is added to System Preferences / System Settings. Open it to see the version, server status, and start/stop controls.
Method 08 — MySQL Workbench & Other GUI Clients
MySQL Workbench
Connect to your server and look at the Navigator panel on the left. You can also go to Help → About MySQL Workbench for the client version, or run SELECT VERSION(); in a query tab to check the server version.
phpMyAdmin
Log in and look at the home page (the house icon). The server version is displayed prominently in the “Database server” information box on the right side under “Server version.”
DBeaver, TablePlus, DataGrip
All major GUI clients display the server version in the connection properties panel or in the connection tab header after establishing a connection. You can also execute SELECT VERSION (); in any SQL editor tab.
Tip: In DBeaver, right-click your connection → Edit Connection → the Server Version field is populated automatically after connecting.
Method Comparison at a Glance
Troubleshooting Common Issues
“mysql: command not found.”
The MySQL client binary isn’t in your PATH. Find it and add it:
which mysql # Find where it is
find / -name mysql 2>/dev/null # Search the whole system
# Then add to PATH in ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc:
export PATH=”$PATH:/usr/local/mysql/bin.”
Copied!
“Access denied for user ‘root’@’localhost'”
Your credentials are wrong, or the root password hasn’t been set. Try:
mysql -u root # Try without -p (no password)
sudo mysql # On Ubuntu, root may use auth_socket
Copied!
Client and server versions don’t match
If mysql –version shows 8.0.37, but SELECT VERSION() returns 5.7.44, your client and server are running different versions. This can cause subtle authentication failures and unsupported-feature errors. Update both to compatible versions.
Cannot connect to the server
# Check if mysqld is running:
sudo systemctl status mysql # Ubuntu/Debian
sudo systemctl status mysqld # CentOS/RHEL
# Start it if stopped:
sudo systemctl start mysql
Copied!
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
# ── Without connecting to server ──────────────────────────────
mysql –version # Client binary version
mysqld –version # Server daemon version
# ── Inside MySQL shell (mysql -u root -p) ─────────────────────
SELECT VERSION(); — Simplest query
SELECT @@version; — System variable
SHOW VARIABLES LIKE ‘version%’; — All version vars
\s — Full status + version
# ── Linux package managers ────────────────────────────────────
dpkg -l | grep mysql-server # Debian/Ubuntu
rpm -qa | grep mysql # CentOS/RHEL
dnf info mysql-server # Fedora/RHEL 8+
# ── macOS ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
brew list –versions | grep mysql # Homebrew
Copied!
Conclusion
Checking your MySQL version is simple once you know which tool to use. For the fastest check, run mysql –version in your terminal. For the most accurate server version, log in to the MySQL shell and run SELECT VERSION(); For a complete picture of both client and server versions, use the \s status command.
Make version-checking a habit whenever you’re setting up a new project, migrating databases, or troubleshooting compatibility issues. Knowing your version precisely is the first step to solving a whole class of MySQL problems before they even start.
Next steps: Once you know your version, consider whether you should upgrade. If you’re on MySQL 5.7, it’s already end of life, so plan a migration to 8.4 LTS or a currently supported release. Use mysqlcheck and the MySQL Upgrade Checker utility to audit compatibility before upgrading.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. What is the difference between MySQL client and server versions?
Ans. The client version refers to the MySQL command-line tool, while the server version refers to the actual MySQL database engine. They may differ if upgraded separately.
Q2. Why are MySQL version mismatches a problem?
Ans. Different client and server versions can cause authentication errors, unsupported SQL syntax, replication issues, and compatibility problems in applications.
Q3. How do I check the MySQL version in phpMyAdmin?
Ans. Log in to phpMyAdmin and open the homepage. The MySQL server version appears in the “Database Server” section.
Q4. How do I check the MySQL version in MySQL Workbench?
Ans. Connect to your database in MySQL Workbench. The server version appears in the Navigator panel and connection details.
Q5. Why does “mysql: command not found” appear?
Ans. This error means MySQL is not installed correctly, or its binary path is missing from your system PATH variable.
