How to install JavaScript (Node.js) on your computer

How do you install JavaScript on your computer?

Short answer: JavaScript itself doesn't need installing: every browser already runs it. To run JavaScript outside the browser, install Node.js. Download the LTS version from nodejs.org, or use winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS on Windows, brew install node on Mac, or nvm on any system. Then check it with node -v.

node -v

v26.13.0

If you see a version number, Node.js and npm are installed and you can run any .js file with node file.js.

Install Node.js, check the version and run your first file.

Install Node.js: every option

Always choose the LTS (Long Term Support) version. It's the stable one that most projects and tutorials use.

Install Node.js on Windows

With the installer:

1. Go to nodejs.org and download the LTS Windows installer (.msi).
2. Run it and accept the default options. Leave npm package manager and Add to PATH checked.
3. Close and reopen PowerShell or the terminal, then run node -v.

With winget, from PowerShell:

winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS

Open a new terminal afterwards so it picks up the new PATH.

Install Node.js on Mac

With the installer: download the LTS .pkg file from nodejs.org, open it and follow the steps.

With Homebrew:

brew install node
node -v

brew install node installs the newest version, which may be newer than the LTS. If you need an exact version, use nvm: install NVM on Mac with Homebrew.

Install Node.js on Linux

The nodejs package in Ubuntu and Debian repositories is often several versions behind. The most reliable way is nvm:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.41.0/install.sh | bash
source ~/.bashrc
nvm install --lts
node -v

You have every step in the guide to install NVM on Linux.

Check that JavaScript is installed

node -v   # Node.js version, for example v26.13.0
npm -v    # npm version, the package manager that comes with Node.js

If either command says it isn't recognized, close and reopen the terminal. If it still fails, see the errors table below.

Run your first JavaScript file

Create a file called hello.js:

const name = "Node.js";
console.log(`Hello from ${name}`);

And run it from the terminal, in the same folder:

node hello.js

Hello from Node.js

You can also test code without creating a file: type node to open the interactive console (REPL), write JavaScript and press Enter. Exit with .exit or Ctrl + C twice. To run JavaScript in other places, such as the browser console or VS Code, see how to run JavaScript.

Browser or Node.js?

To learn JavaScript, the browser console is enough. To build apps, use tools from npm or follow most tutorials, you need Node.js.

Install Node.js with AI

An assistant like ChatGPT, Claude or GitHub Copilot can guide you through the installation if you tell it your system and what you see. These three prompts are ready to copy.

1. Install Node.js step by step

I use [Windows 11 / macOS / Ubuntu 24.04] and I want to install Node.js LTS to learn JavaScript.
Guide me step by step and tell me how to check that node and npm work.

2. Fix "node is not recognized"

I installed Node.js on [system], but the terminal says: [paste the error].
Explain why it happens and how to fix the PATH.

3. Choose between the installer, Homebrew and nvm

I'm going to work on [one project / several projects with different Node versions] on [system].
Should I install Node.js with the official installer, Homebrew, winget or nvm? Explain the pros and cons.

Common errors when installing Node.js

Related guides

• How to run JavaScript: browser console, Node.js and IDE
• How to install NVM on Windows, macOS and Linux
• How to install NVM on Windows
• How to install NVM on Mac with Homebrew
• How to run a JavaScript file in VS Code
• Java vs JavaScript: the key differences