Need an OpenJDK 8 download right now? Grab the JRE if you only run Java apps, or grab the JDK if you write and compile Java code. That’s the entire decision. Everything else in this guide walks you through the exact commands for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Red Hat, Oracle Linux, BSD systems, and even older or newer Java versions. Java still powers a huge share of enterprise software in 2026, and OpenJDK 8 remains one of the most requested long-term support versions. So let’s skip the fluff and get your system ready.
What Is OpenJDK 8?
OpenJDK 8 is the free, open-source version of Java 8. It’s built and maintained by the OpenJDK community, and it mirrors the official Oracle release without the licensing restrictions.
Most Linux servers, DevOps pipelines, and legacy enterprise apps still run on this version. That’s because Java 8 introduced lambda expressions and the Stream API, two features that changed how developers write Java code. Many teams simply never migrated off it.
OpenJDK 8 vs JRE 8: Which One Should You Install?
Before you run a single command, figure out what you actually need.
- JRE (Java Runtime Environment): Lets you run Java applications. Nothing more.
- JDK (Java Development Kit): Includes the JRE plus the compiler and developer tools needed to write and build Java programs.
If you’re a developer, install the JDK. If you’re just running a Java-based app like Minecraft or an enterprise tool, the JRE alone will work fine.
OpenJDK 8 Download Size Comparison
| Package | Approximate Size | Best For |
| OpenJDK 8 (JDK) | 172 MB | Developers writing or compiling Java code |
| JRE 8 | 46 MB | Users who only need to run Java apps |
The JDK package is roughly four times larger than the JRE. That extra size comes from the compiler, debugger, and other development tools bundled inside it. This size data reflects Red Hat’s OpenJDK 8 build, release 8u492, for Windows x64.
How to Download OpenJDK 8 on Ubuntu and Debian
Debian-based systems use APT, which makes the OpenJDK 8 download process fairly quick. Open your terminal first.
Install the OpenJDK 8 JRE
If you only need to run Java programs, install the runtime package:
| sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jre |
This command pulls in everything required to execute Java applications, but nothing to compile them.
Install the OpenJDK 8 JDK
Developers should skip the JRE-only install and go straight for the full development kit:
| sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jdk |
This adds the compiler and additional developer tools on top of the runtime. Once this finishes, your Ubuntu or Debian machine is fully set up for Java development.
Using APT Instead of apt-get
Newer Ubuntu and Debian releases support the APT command as a cleaner alternative. Run this instead if you prefer it:
| sudo apt install openjdk-8-jdk |
Both commands achieve the exact same result. Choose whichever fits your existing workflow.
How to Download OpenJDK 8 on Fedora, Red Hat, and Oracle Linux
RPM-based distributions use yum instead of apt, so the syntax looks a little different. However, the logic stays the same: pick the runtime or the full development kit.
Install just the runtime:
| su -c “yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk” |
Install the full development kit:
| su -c “yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel” |
Notice the package names differ completely from Debian systems. Still, the runtime-versus-development split works identically across every distro.
OpenJDK Package Names by Version (Quick Reference Table)
Use this table to install OpenJDK 8 or any other supported version without digging through documentation.
| JDK Version | Debian / Ubuntu Package | RPM-Based Package |
| JDK 6 | openjdk-6-jre / openjdk-6-jdk | java-1.6.0-openjdk / java-1.6.0-openjdk-devel |
| JDK 7 | openjdk-7-jre / openjdk-7-jdk | java-1.7.0-openjdk / java-1.7.0-openjdk-devel |
| JDK 8 | openjdk-8-jre / openjdk-8-jdk | java-1.8.0-openjdk / java-1.8.0-openjdk-devel |
| JDK 9+ | Download from jdk.java.net | Download from jdk.java.net |
Bookmark this table. It saves time whenever you need to switch Java versions for a legacy project.
Installing Older Java Versions (JDK 6 and JDK 7)
Sometimes legacy applications refuse to run on anything newer than Java 7 or Java 6. Here’s how to install both.
Installing JDK 7
On Debian or Ubuntu, run:
| sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jresudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jdk |
On Fedora or Red Hat, run:
| su -c “yum install java-1.7.0-openjdk”su -c “yum install java-1.7.0-openjdk-devel” |
Installing JDK 6
On Debian or Ubuntu, run:
| sudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jresudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jdk |
On Fedora or Red Hat, run:
| su -c “yum install java-1.6.0-openjdk”su -c “yum install java-1.6.0-openjdk-devel” |
In every single pair listed above, the package ending in -devel or -jdk is always the one that adds the compiler.
Downloading JDK 9 and Newer Versions
JDK 9 and everything after it moved away from distro package managers. Instead, Oracle and the OpenJDK team publish binary builds on version-specific pages at jdk.java.net. For example, JDK 13 binaries were hosted at jdk.java.net/13.
These builds come as either .tar.gz or .zip archives, depending on your operating system.
Extracting a tar.gz Archive
tar xvf openjdk-13*_bin.tar.gz
Extracting a zip Archive
unzip openjdk-13*_bin.zip
The wildcard automatically matches version-specific filename suffixes, so you don’t need to type the exact build number.
Installing OpenJDK on BSD Systems
Mac and BSD users aren’t left out either. DragonFly BSD, FreeBSD, macOS, NetBSD, and OpenBSD all get support through the BSD Port project. This community-maintained list tracks available OpenJDK packages for every supported platform.
After extracting a JDK archive manually on these systems, you’ll often need to mark the binaries as executable before Java will run. This step trips up a lot of first-time installers, so don’t skip it.
OpenJDK vs Oracle JDK: Key Differences
People often confuse these two, so here’s a quick breakdown.
| Factor | OpenJDK | Oracle JDK |
| Cost | Free and open source | May require a commercial license |
| Source | Community and vendor-maintained | Oracle-maintained |
| Performance | Nearly identical to Oracle JDK | Nearly identical to OpenJDK |
| Best for | Most developers and open-source projects | Enterprises needing official Oracle support |
For the vast majority of developers, OpenJDK 8 performs just as well as the Oracle build, minus the licensing complexity.
Common Installation Issues and Quick Fixes
Even a simple OpenJDK 8 download can hit snags. Here are the most frequent ones.
- Command not found after install: Restart your terminal session, since the PATH variable sometimes needs a refresh.
- Multiple Java versions conflict: Use update-alternatives –config java on Debian systems to switch between installed versions.
- Permission denied during extraction: Apply executable permissions to the binary folder before running any Java command.
- Package not found error: Update your package index first with sudo apt-get update before retrying the install.
Most installation problems come down to outdated package lists or PATH conflicts, and both fix quickly.
Conclusion
Downloading and installing OpenJDK 8 doesn’t need to be complicated. Choose the JRE if you only run Java apps, or grab the full JDK if you plan to write and compile code. Debian and Ubuntu users rely on apt-get or apt, while Fedora, Red Hat, and Oracle Linux users stick with yum. BSD and macOS users can pull builds through the BSD Port project instead. Whichever path you take, your OpenJDK 8 download should now be fast, accurate, and error-free heading into 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OpenJDK 8 download free?
Yes. OpenJDK 8 is completely free and open source, with no licensing fees attached.
Should I install the JRE or the JDK?
Install the JRE if you only run Java applications. Install the JDK if you write, compile, or debug Java code.
How do I check my installed OpenJDK version?
Run java -version in your terminal. Developers should also run javac -version to confirm the compiler installed correctly.
What is the difference between OpenJDK and Oracle JDK?
OpenJDK is free and community-maintained, while Oracle JDK may require a commercial license for certain enterprise use cases. Performance between the two stays nearly identical.
Where do I download JDK 9 or later versions?
Head to jdk.java.net and pick the version-specific page you need. Builds come as tar.gz or zip archives.
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