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Java / JDK LTS Schedule (2026)

DodaTech Updated 2026-06-20 4 min read

In this tutorial, you'll learn about Java / JDK LTS Schedule (2026). We cover key concepts, practical examples, and best practices to help you understand and apply this topic effectively.

Java has transitioned from a slow, multi-year release cycle to a rapid six-month cadence since Java 9 in 2017. Under the current model, a new feature release ships every March and September, with a Long-Term Support (LTS) version designated every three years (Java 17, 21, 25). LTS versions receive Oracle commercial support and free OpenJDK builds for a multi-year window, while non-LTS feature releases are supported only until the next release ships. Understanding which Java versions are LTS versus feature releases is critical for enterprise planning — choosing a non-LTS release for production means a forced upgrade every six months.

Java / JDK Version Support Table

Version Release Date Oracle Commercial Support End Free OpenJDK / Azul / MS Support (approx.)
8 LTS Mar 2014 Mar 2022 (paid extended available) Varies by distributor; Azul until Dec 2030
11 LTS Sep 2018 Sep 2026 Varies; Azul until Sep 2027
17 LTS Sep 2021 Sep 2029 Sep 2029 (OpenJDK)
21 LTS Sep 2023 Sep 2031 Sep 2031 (OpenJDK)
25 LTS Sep 2025 Sep 2032 Sep 2032 (OpenJDK)

Non-LTS feature releases (18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, etc.) are supported only until the next feature release ships — approximately 6 months.

Java Support Policy

Java's support landscape is complex because it depends on which JDK distribution you use:

  • Oracle JDK (commercial): Oracle provides Premier Support for LTS releases for a minimum of 8 years (Java 17, 21, 25). Non-LTS releases are not supported for production by Oracle.
  • OpenJDK (free): The open-source reference implementation. LTS builds receive updates from the community and vendors like Eclipse Adoptium (Eclipse Temurin) for a variable period — typically at least until the next LTS ships, and often longer.
  • Azul Zulu, Microsoft Build of OpenJDK, Amazon Corretto: These vendors offer free builds with support timelines that often extend beyond the official Oracle dates. Azul, for example, supports Java 8 through 2030 and Java 11 through 2027.

The key distinction: LTS every 3 years (17, 21, 25) versus feature releases every 6 months (everything in between). Feature releases are fine for development and testing but should not be used in production unless you are prepared to upgrade every 6 months.

How to Check Your Java Version

java -version
# openjdk version "21.0.3" 2024-04-16 LTS

To check programmatically:

System.out.println(System.getProperty("java.version"));

Upgrade Path

Current Version Recommended Target Reason
8 LTS 21 LTS or 25 LTS 8 is extremely dated; 21 or 25 is the current LTS
11 LTS 21 LTS or 25 LTS 11 commercial support ends Sep 2026; plan Migration
17 LTS 21 LTS or 25 LTS 17 is still supported but migrating to 21/25 extends your window
21 LTS 25 LTS 21 is the previous LTS; 25 is the current LTS (Sep 2025)
Any non-LTS (18-20, 22-24, 26) 21 LTS or 25 LTS Non-LTS releases have 6-month support Windows; move to LTS for production

FAQ

What is the difference between Oracle JDK and OpenJDK?

Oracle JDK is Oracle's commercial distribution with paid support options. OpenJDK is the open-source reference implementation. Functionally they are nearly identical starting with Java 17 — Oracle JDK now uses the same build Process as OpenJDK. The main difference is licensing and support terms.

Is Java 8 still supported?

Oracle commercial support for Java 8 ended March 2022 (paid extended support is available). However, third-party vendors like Azul Systems provide free builds of Java 8 through at least December 2030. Check with your JDK vendor for their specific timeline.

Which Java version should I use for a new project in 2026?

Use Java 25 LTS (released September 2025) or Java 21 LTS. Both have multi-year support Windows. Java 25 gives you the longest runway before the next forced upgrade.

Can I use a non-LTS release in production?

You can, but you will need to upgrade every 6 months when the next feature release ships. This is viable for CI/CD-heavy teams that deploy frequently, but most enterprises prefer LTS releases to avoid the upgrade churn.

Do free OpenJDK builds include security patches?

Yes. OpenJDK community builds (via Eclipse Temurin, Amazon Corretto, Azul Zulu, Microsoft, etc.) include security patches. The cadence and duration vary by vendor. Most vendors track the OpenJDK vulnerability group's fixes closely

When is the next Java LTS release after 25?

Java 26 is a feature release (March 2026), Java 27 is a feature release (September 2026), and Java 28 LTS is expected in September 2028 — following the 3-year LTS cadence.

  • Python Version EOL Schedule
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