How to Install Oracle Java on Ubuntu Linux – Step‑by‑Step Guide

Follow this concise, expert‑verified guide to install the latest Oracle JDK on Ubuntu. Whether you’re running a 32‑bit or 64‑bit system, these steps will have Java up and running in minutes.

1. Remove Existing OpenJDK Packages

Ubuntu often ships with OpenJDK pre‑installed. To avoid conflicts, purge all OpenJDK packages first:

sudo apt-get purge openjdk-*

Confirm the removal when prompted.

2. Verify Your System Architecture

Determine if your Ubuntu installation is 32‑bit or 64‑bit:

file /sbin/init

Look for “x86_64” (64‑bit) or “i386” (32‑bit) in the output.

3. Download the Correct Oracle JDK Package

Visit the official Oracle Java SE download page: Oracle Java Downloads. Accept the license agreement and choose:

• For 32‑bit: x86 + tar.gz (Ubuntu)
• For 64‑bit: x64 + tar.gz (Ubuntu)
• Alternatively, download the rpm package for Debian‑based systems.

After downloading, you’ll see a file like jdk-8u5-linux-x64.tar.gz in your Downloads folder.

4. Extract the JDK Archive

Navigate to the download location and extract the archive:

cd ~/Downloads
sudo tar -xvf jdk-8u5-linux-x64.tar.gz

After extraction, a folder such as jdk1.8.0_5 will appear.

5. Set System Environment Variables

Open /etc/profile for editing:

sudo nano /etc/profile

Add the following lines at the end, replacing /path/to/jdk with the actual extraction path:

JAVA_HOME=/path/to/jdk
PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin
export JAVA_HOME
export PATH

Save the file (Ctrl+X, then Y, Enter).

6. Reload Profile Settings

. /etc/profile

7. Register the JDK with Ubuntu’s Alternatives System

Tell the system where Java binaries are located:

sudo update-alternatives --install "/usr/bin/java" "java" "/path/to/jdk/bin/java" 1
sudo update-alternatives --install "/usr/bin/javac" "javac" "/path/to/jdk/bin/javac" 1
sudo update-alternatives --install "/usr/bin/javaws" "javaws" "/path/to/jdk/bin/javaws" 1

8. Make the Oracle JDK the Default

sudo update-alternatives --set java "/path/to/jdk/bin/java"
sudo update-alternatives --set javac "/path/to/jdk/bin/javac"
sudo update-alternatives --set javaws "/path/to/jdk/bin/javaws"

9. Verify the Installation

Check that Java reports the correct version:

java -version

You should see output similar to:

java version "1.8.0_5"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_5-b13)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.5-b13, mixed mode)

Congratulations – Oracle Java is now installed and ready to use on your Ubuntu system.