How to Check Laravel Version (Including Laravel 13) in 2026

If you are working with a Laravel project, one of the first things you may need to know is the installed Laravel version. Whether you are debugging an issue, installing packages, upgrading your application, or following a tutorial, checking the Laravel version is very important.

In this guide, you will learn multiple easy methods to check the Laravel version in 2026, including support for Laravel 13, Laravel 12, Laravel 11, and older versions.

Why Check Laravel Version?

Knowing your Laravel version helps you:

• Install compatible packages
• Follow the correct documentation
• Upgrade Laravel safely
• Debug version-related issues
• Ensure server compatibility

For example, some Composer packages only support Laravel 12 or Laravel 13, while older packages may not work with newer releases.

Method 1: Check Laravel Version Using Artisan Command

This is the easiest and most popular method.

Open your terminal or command prompt inside your Laravel project folder and run:

php artisan --version

Or:

php artisan -V

Example Output

Laravel Framework 13.0.1

This command works in:

• Laravel 13
• Laravel 12
• Laravel 11
• Laravel 10
• Older Laravel versions

Method 2: Check Laravel Version from composer.json

You can also check the Laravel version from the composer.json file.

Open:

composer.json

Find this line inside the require section:

"laravel/framework": "^13.0"

Example

"require": {
 "php": "^8.3",
 "laravel/framework": "^13.0"
}

This means your project uses Laravel 13.

Method 3: Check Laravel Version Using Composer Command

Run the following command:

composer show laravel/framework

Example Output

name : laravel/framework
versions : * v13.0.1

This method gives detailed package information including:

• Installed version
• Release date
• Dependencies
• Package details

Method 4: Check Laravel Version Inside Application Code

You can display the Laravel version using PHP code.

Using Route

Open:

routes/web.php

Add:

Route::get('/laravel-version', function () {
 return app()->version();
});

Now visit:

http://yourdomain.com/laravel-version

Output

13.0.1

Method 5: Check Laravel Version Using CLI PHP Command

Run this command from your Laravel project root:

php -r "include 'vendor/autoload.php'; echo app()->version();"

This directly prints the installed Laravel version.

Method 6: Check Laravel Version in vendor Directory

You can also manually inspect the framework files.

Open:

vendor/laravel/framework/src/Illuminate/Foundation/Application.php

Search for:

const VERSION = '13.0.1';

This constant contains the installed Laravel version.

Laravel 13 Requirements in 2026

Laravel 13 officially requires modern PHP versions and updated dependencies.

Expected Requirements

Always check the official Laravel documentation before upgrading.

Common Problems While Checking Laravel Version

1. php artisan command not working

Possible Reasons

• PHP not installed
• Wrong project directory
• Missing vendor folder
• Composer dependencies not installed

Solution

Run:

composer install

2. Class not found error

Try:

composer dump-autoload

3. Artisan file missing

Make sure you are inside the Laravel project root directory.

Correct structure:

project-folder/
 ├── app/
 ├── bootstrap/
 ├── config/
 ├── routes/
 ├── artisan

How to Check Laravel Version in Shared Hosting

If you use cPanel or shared hosting:

Option 1

Use Terminal from cPanel:

php artisan --version

Option 2

Create a temporary PHP file:

<?php

echo app()->version();

Or:

<?php

echo \Illuminate\Foundation\Application::VERSION;

Difference Between Laravel Version and PHP Version

Many beginners confuse Laravel version with PHP version.

Check PHP Version

Run:

php -v

Check Laravel Version

Run:

php artisan --version

Both are completely different.

Best Method Recommended

The best and fastest method is:

php artisan --version

Because it is:

• Simple
• Accurate
• Works in all Laravel versions
• Officially recommended

Final Thoughts

Checking the Laravel version is a basic but essential task for every Laravel developer. Whether you are using Laravel 13, Laravel 12, or an older release, Laravel provides multiple simple ways to find the installed version.

For most developers, the Artisan command is the easiest option:

php artisan --version

Use the method that best fits your workflow and hosting environment.

FAQs

How do I check Laravel version quickly?

Use:

php artisan --version

Does this work for Laravel 13?

Yes, all methods in this tutorial work for Laravel 13 in 2026.

Can I check Laravel version without Artisan?

Yes. You can use:

• composer.json
• composer show command
• PHP code
• vendor files

Which Laravel version is latest in 2026?

Laravel 13 is currently one of the latest major releases in 2026.

Can I check Laravel version in browser?

Yes. Use:

return app()->version();

inside a route or controller.