How to add Node.js In Ubuntu

How to Install Node.js on Ubuntu

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript outside of a browser — commonly used for building fast, scalable server-side and networking applications.

This guide walks you through installing Node.js on Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, or later.

Step 1: Update System Packages

Before installing anything, update your package index:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Node.js Using APT (Default Ubuntu Repo)

Ubuntu includes Node.js in its default repositories. You can install it directly with:

sudo apt install -y nodejs

Then, check the installed version:

node -v

However, this version may be outdated. If you want the latest stable version, follow the next method using NodeSource.

Alternative: Install Latest Node.js Using NodeSource

NodeSource provides official up-to-date Node.js binaries for most distributions.

Step 2A: Install curl (if not already installed)

sudo apt install curl -y

Step 2B: Download the Node.js Setup Script

Choose your desired version, like 18.x (LTS) or 20.x (Current):

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -

Step 2C: Install Node.js and npm

sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Check versions to confirm:

node -v
npm -v

npm (Node Package Manager) comes bundled with Node.js.

Step 3 (Optional): Install build-essential for Compiling Native Add-ons

Some npm packages require build tools:

sudo apt install -y build-essential

Step 4: Test Node.js

You can run a simple Node.js command to verify everything is working:

node

Then, in the Node.js REPL (interactive shell), type:

console.log("Hello from Node.js!");

You should see the output:

Hello from Node.js!

Type .exit to leave the REPL.

Optional: Uninstall Node.js

If you ever need to remove Node.js:

sudo apt remove nodejs
sudo apt purge nodejs

Bonus: Install n – Node Version Manager (Alternative Method)

n allows you to manage multiple versions of Node.js.

Install it using npm:

sudo npm install -g n

Then install the latest Node version:

sudo n latest

Or the LTS version:

sudo n lts

To switch between installed versions, just use:

sudo n

Done!

You now have Node.js and npm installed on your Ubuntu system, and you're ready to build and run JavaScript applications on the backend!