Rocky Linux is a free and open-source enterprise Linux distribution designed to be a community-supported alternative to CentOS. It was created by Gregory Kurtzer, one of the original CentOS co-founders, after CentOS shifted to the CentOS Stream model. Rocky Linux aims to remain binary-compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), making it suitable for production environments that need long-term stability and predictable updates.
- Enterprise Focus: Stable, production-ready platform for servers and infrastructure.
- RHEL Compatibility: Binary-compatible with RHEL for smooth migrations.
- Community-Driven: Development and governance handled by the Rocky Enterprise Software Foundation (RESF).
- Long-Term Support: Multi-year support timelines aligned with RHEL.
- Regular Releases: Minor releases track RHEL updates.
- Rocky Linux 10.1 (latest 10.x): GA 2025-11-25.
- Rocky Linux 9.7 (latest 9.x): GA 2025-12-01.
- Rocky Linux 8.10 (latest 8.x): GA 2024-05-31.
Rocky Linux publishes regular minor releases and maintains long support timelines for each major series.
| Version |
Release Date |
Support Ends |
EOL |
Status |
| Rocky 10.1 |
2025-11-25 |
2030-05-31 |
2035-05-31 |
🟢 Active |
| Rocky 9.7 |
2025-12-01 |
2027-05-31 |
2032-05-31 |
🟢 Active |
| Rocky 8.10 |
2024-05-31 |
2024-05-31 |
2029-05-31 |
🟡 Maintenance |
| Major |
Codename |
Series GA |
Latest Minor (GA) |
Active Support Ends |
End of Life |
Release Info |
| Rocky 10 |
Red Quartz |
2025-06-11 |
10.1 (2025-11-25) |
2030-05-31 |
2035-05-31 |
https://wiki.rockylinux.org/rocky/version/ |
| Rocky 9 |
Blue Onyx |
2022-07-14 |
9.7 (2025-12-01) |
2027-05-31 |
2032-05-31 |
https://wiki.rockylinux.org/rocky/version/ |
| Rocky 8 |
Green Obsidian |
2021-05-01 |
8.10 (2024-05-31) |
2024-05-31 |
2029-05-31 |
https://wiki.rockylinux.org/rocky/version/ |
Rocky Linux 10.1 is the latest minor release in the Rocky 10 series, released on November 25, 2025.
| Feature |
Description |
| Release Date |
November 25, 2025 |
| Codename |
Red Quartz series |
| Base |
RHEL 10.1 compatible |
| Kernel |
Linux 6.12+ LTS |
| Support |
Until May 31, 2035 |
| Architectures |
x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x |
| Component |
Version |
| Linux Kernel |
6.12+ LTS |
| GCC |
14.x |
| glibc |
2.39+ |
| Python |
3.12+ |
| OpenSSL |
3.2+ |
| Podman |
5.x |
| DNF |
DNF 5 |
- RHEL 10.1 Compatibility: Binary-compatible with RHEL 10.1
- Security Updates: Latest security patches and hardening
- Kernel Updates: Linux 6.12+ LTS with improved hardware support
- Toolchain Updates: GCC 14.x, glibc 2.39+, Python 3.12+
- Container Tools: Updated Podman, Buildah, Skopeo
- Web Console: Updated Cockpit with improved UI
Rocky Linux 9.7 is the latest minor release in the Rocky 9 series, released on December 1, 2025.
| Feature |
Description |
| Release Date |
December 1, 2025 |
| Codename |
Blue Onyx series |
| Base |
RHEL 9.7 compatible |
| Kernel |
Linux 5.14 LTS |
| Support |
Until May 31, 2032 |
| Architectures |
x86_64, aarch64, ppc64le, s390x |
| Component |
Version |
| Linux Kernel |
5.14 LTS |
| GCC |
13.x (GCC Toolset 15 available) |
| glibc |
2.34 |
| Python |
3.11+ |
| OpenSSL |
3.0+ |
| Podman |
4.x |
| DNF |
DNF 4 |
- Post-Quantum Cryptography: System-wide crypto policies with PQC support
- Node.js 24: Latest Node.js runtime
- Valkey 8: Redis-compatible data store
- GCC Toolset 15: GCC 15.1 available
- LLVM Toolset 20.1.8: Latest LLVM toolchain
- Rust Toolset 1.88.0: Rust programming language
- Go Toolset 1.24: Go programming language
- .NET 10.0: Microsoft .NET runtime
- GDB 16.3: GNU Debugger
- Valgrind 3.25.1: Memory debugging tool
- RL Web Console: Improved UI based on PatternFly 6
- Image Builder: Now supports WSL2 and Vagrant (libvirt) images
| Architecture |
Status |
Description |
| x86_64 |
✅ Primary |
64-bit Intel/AMD |
| aarch64 |
✅ Primary |
64-bit ARM |
| ppc64le |
✅ Secondary |
POWER8/POWER9 little-endian |
| s390x |
✅ Secondary |
IBM Z mainframes |
| Aspect |
Description |
| Base |
RHEL source code (binary-compatible) |
| Release Cycle |
Tracks RHEL minor releases |
| Support |
10 years per major version |
| Package Format |
RPM with DNF package manager |
| Security |
Regular security updates and errata |
| Component |
Minimum |
Recommended |
| CPU |
1 GHz |
2 GHz+ |
| RAM |
1 GB |
2 GB+ |
| Storage |
10 GB |
20 GB+ |
| Display |
800x600 |
1024x768+ |
| Tool |
Purpose |
| DNF |
Package manager (DNF 5 on Rocky 10, DNF 4 on Rocky 9) |
| Cockpit |
Web-based system administration |
| Image Builder |
Create custom images (including WSL2, Vagrant) |
| Migration Scripts |
Migrate from other Enterprise Linux distributions |
| Peridot |
Rocky Linux build system |
- Server Deployments: RHEL-compatible production systems.
- Enterprise Apps: Long-term stability with predictable updates.
- Migrations: Replace CentOS Linux or migrate from RHEL.