NPM Version Checker
Check the latest version of any package on NPM instantly. Get real-time version information, recent releases, installation commands, and package details including README content. Perfect for developers, project managers, and teams who need to stay updated with package versions, plan upgrades, or verify dependencies. Data and content is provided by NPMJS and the respective package maintainers.
NPM Version Checker
What is NPM?
NPM (Node Package Manager) is the world's largest software registry, containing over 2 million packages used by millions of developers worldwide. Originally created for Node.js, NPM has become the standard package manager for JavaScript development. It allows developers to discover, install, and manage dependencies for their projects, making it easier to build applications by leveraging existing code and libraries.
Why Check Package Versions?
Checking package versions is essential for several reasons:
- Security Updates: Stay informed about the latest security patches and bug fixes
- Compatibility: Ensure your dependencies are compatible with your project's requirements
- Feature Access: Discover new features and improvements in recent releases
- Dependency Management: Plan upgrades and manage version conflicts in your project
- Best Practices: Follow semantic versioning and understand breaking changes before updating
- Documentation: Access package README files to understand usage and API changes
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between latest and current version?
The "latest" version is the most recent stable release of a package, tagged as such by the package maintainers. The "current" version refers to the version you're currently using in your project. Always check the latest version to see if updates are available for your dependencies.
How do I know if a version update is safe?
Check the version number using semantic versioning (semver): MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH. Major versions (1.0.0 → 2.0.0) may contain breaking changes. Minor versions (1.0.0 → 1.1.0) add new features but remain backward compatible. Patch versions (1.0.0 → 1.0.1) include bug fixes and are generally safe to update. Always review the package's changelog or release notes before updating.
What is semantic versioning (semver)?
Semantic versioning is a versioning scheme that uses three numbers separated by dots (e.g., 1.2.3). The first number (MAJOR) increments for breaking changes, the second (MINOR) for new backward-compatible features, and the third (PATCH) for backward-compatible bug fixes. This system helps developers understand the impact of version updates.
Can I check versions of packages not published on NPM?
This tool only works with packages published on the NPM registry. For packages hosted on other registries (like GitHub Packages, private registries, or other package managers like PyPI, RubyGems), you'll need to use their respective tools or registries.
Why doesn't the README show for some packages?
Some packages may not have a README file, or it might not be available in the NPM registry. We attempt to fetch READMEs from GitHub repositories when available, but if the package doesn't have a GitHub repository linked or the README isn't accessible, it won't be displayed.
How often is package version data updated?
Version data is fetched in real-time from the NPM registry API, so you always see the most current information. The data is not cached, ensuring you get the latest version numbers, release dates, and package information every time you check.