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Ruby Version End-of-Life Schedule (2026)

DodaTech Updated 2026-06-20 3 min read

In this tutorial, you'll learn about Ruby Version End. We cover key concepts, practical examples, and best practices to help you understand and apply this topic effectively.

Ruby follows a time-based release model with a new major or minor version every December. Each version receives roughly 3 years of security support from the Ruby core team, with the exact end date depending on the release cadence and the team's maintenance capacity. At any given time, only the latest three active branches receive security patches — when a new version ships, the oldest supported branch is retired. Ruby's commitment to backward compatibility within a major version series (3.x) means upgrades between minor versions are generally straightforward, but keeping your Ruby version within the supported window is essential for security.

Ruby Version Support Table

Version Release Date Security Support End (EOL)
2.7 Dec 2019 Mar 2023
3.0 Dec 2020 Mar 2024
3.1 Dec 2021 Mar 2025
3.2 Dec 2022 Mar 2026
3.3 Dec 2023 Mar 2027
3.4 Dec 2024 Mar 2028
3.5 Dec 2025 Mar 2029

Ruby Support Policy

The Ruby core team manages support according to these principles:

  • Security maintenance: Each branch receives security patches for approximately 3 years from its release date. The exact end date is announced when the branch transitions to EOL.
  • Only the latest 3 branches receive patches: When Ruby 3.5 shipped in December 2025, Ruby 3.1 reached EOL (retiring alongside 3.2 and 3.3 as the three active branches).
  • Bug fixes: Only the latest stable branch receives bug fixes (currently Ruby 3.5). Older branches within the 3-branch window receive security fixes only.
  • No LTS designation: Ruby does not have LTS releases. Every minor version follows the same support timeline.

Ruby releases a new version every December 25th (Christmas release tradition). The version numbering follows the pattern major.minor.patch (e.g., 3.4.1).

How to Check Your Ruby Version

ruby --version
# ruby 3.4.1 (2025-01-18 revision 12345abc) [x86_64-linux]

To check programmatically:

RUBY_VERSION
# => "3.4.1"

Upgrade Path

Current Version Recommended Target Reason
2.7 (EOL Mar 2023) 3.4 or 3.5 2.7 is fully unsupported; upgrade to 3.x immediately
3.0 (EOL Mar 2024) 3.4 or 3.5 3.0 is fully unsupported
3.1 (EOL Mar 2025) 3.4 or 3.5 3.1 is fully unsupported
3.2 (EOL Mar 2026) 3.4 or 3.5 3.2 reaches EOL Mar 2026; plan Migration to 3.4 or 3.5
3.3 3.5 3.3 is supported but 3.5 is the latest with the longest support window
3.4 3.5 3.4 is the current stable version; 3.5 adds new features and extends support

FAQ

How long does a Ruby version receive security support?

Approximately 3 years from the release date. The Ruby core team supports the latest 3 branches simultaneously — when a new version ships, the oldest of the 3 is retired.

What happens when a Ruby version reaches EOL?

No further security patches are released. The version becomes unsupported and should not be used in production. Ruby gems may also drop compatibility with EOL versions over time.

Which Ruby version should I use for a new project?

Ruby 3.4 (released December 2024) is the current stable version and is recommended for new projects. Ruby 3.5 (released December 2025) is the latest and offers the longest support window, but 3.4 is more widely tested with existing gems.

Are Ruby upgrades backwards compatible?

Minor version upgrades within the 3.x series (e.g., 3.2 to 3.3) are generally backwards compatible, but each release includes deprecations and feature changes. Always check the release notes for breaking changes and run your test suite before upgrading.

Does Ruby have an LTS program?

No. Ruby does not offer LTS releases. All branches follow the same 3-year support window based on the release date and the 3-branch active support policy

How does Ruby version support affect Rails applications?

Rails 7.x requires Ruby 2.7+ and Rails 8.x (released 2025+) requires Ruby 3.1+. Running an EOL Ruby version may prevent you from upgrading Rails, which means missing security patches for your framework as well.

  • Python Version EOL Schedule
  • Node.js Release Schedule
  • PHP Version Support Timeline
  • Go Version Support Policy
← Previous PHP Version Support Timeline (2026) Next → Go Version Support Policy (2026)

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