If you’re using AWS, you must know that different AWS CLI versions support different features, commands, and AWS services. Using an outdated version may lead to errors, missing functionality, or incompatibility with newer AWS APIs.
This is why knowing which AWS CLI version you have installed is very important for troubleshooting issues or just confirming that the CLI is set up correctly on your system.
This guide walks you through the process of checking your AWS CLI version on Windows, macOS, and Linux using a simple command.
Step-by-step guide to checking the AWS CLI version
Step 1. Open your terminal or command prompt
The terminal or the command prompt allows you to run the query that returns the version of AWS CLI installed. Here’s what you’ll need to open depending on the OS you’re using:
Windows: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell
macOS: Open Terminal
Linux: Open Terminal
Step 2. Type the AWS CLI version command
Once you’ve opened the command prompt or the terminal, you’ll need to type the following command. This is going to be the same for all operating systems.
aws --version
Once you’ve typed the command, press Enter.
Step 3. Review the output
Once you press enter, you’ll get an output that will show your AWS CLI version. Here's what it typically looks like:
This output includes the following details:
AWS CLI version
Python version used
Operating system details
Here are examples of what the output may look like depending on your OS:
Windows:
aws-cli/2.15.34 Python/3.11.5 Windows/10 exe/AMD64 prompt/offmacOS:
aws-cli/2.15.34 Python/3.11.6 Darwin/x86_64 source prompt/offLinux:
aws-cli/2.15.34 Python/3.11.6 Linux/x86_64 source prompt/off
FAQ
How do I know if AWS CLI is installed or not?
You can check if AWS CLI is installed or not by simply typing the AWS CLI version command in your terminal. If AWS CLI is installed, you'll see the version info. If it’s not installed, you'll get an error like command not found.
What if I get a “command not found” error?
If you get a command not found message, it means AWS CLI is not installed or the system can’t find it. To fix this, reinstall the CLI and ensure the path is correctly set in your system environment variables.
Is it necessary to keep the AWS CLI updated?
Yes, it is necessary to keep the AWS CLI updated. An updated AWS CLI version ensures compatibility with new AWS services and improved security.
How do I upgrade the AWS CLI if I have an older version?
If you have an older version of AWS CLI, you can simply re-run the installation steps for your OS. Most installers will automatically replace the existing version during the re-installation.
