---
title: "How to Install Java on CentOS 7 (Java 8)"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/server-administration/linux/install-java-on-centos/"
description: "Learn how to install Java on CentOS 7 (Java 8). These instructions include updating the server, verifying the Java install, setting Java's home environment, as…"
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2019-02-08"
last_modified: "2026-08-13"
---

# How to Install Java on CentOS 7 (Java 8)

In this tutorial, we’ll be showing you how to install Oracle’s Java 8 programming language specifically onto a CentOS 7 server. This simple object-oriented language is used for many of the applications and websites you come across today. Let’s jump right in!

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[![Install Java 8 on CentOS 7](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/installgitonubuntu16.04-1.jpg)](https://www.youtube.com/embed/90-0dRxs1fs?rel=)####  

## Pre-flight

1. Open the terminal and login as root. If you are logged in as another user, you will need to add **sudo** before each command.
2. Working on a Linux CentOS 7 VPS server
3. No installations of previous Java versions

## Installing Java 8 on CentOS 7

### Step 1: Update

As a matter of best practice we’ll update before installing any new programs:

`yum -y update`

### Step 2: Install Java 8

`yum install java-1.8.0-openjdk`

### Step 3: Verify Java is Installed

`java -version`

**Example Output:**

`java -version<br></br>openjdk version "1.8.0_191"<br></br>OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_191-b12)<br></br>OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.191-b12, mixed mode)`

## **Set Java’s Home Environment**

### Step 1: Find Java’s Path

Let’s set the **JAVA\_HOME** variable, using the following command will give us a path so we can set the variable.

`update-alternatives --config java`

You’ll see a prompt to “Enter to keep the current selection\[+\], or type selection number:”, if you had multiple Java version you could set the default here, but all we need is the path of Java so we can exit pressing enter. The highlighted area is the path we will need to copy/paste into our .bash\_profile file.

`Selection    Command<br></br>-----------------------------------------------<br></br>*+ 1           java-1.8.0-openjdk.x86_64 (/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-openjdk-1.8.0.191.b12-1.el7_6.x86_64/jre/bin/java)</code?`

### Step 2: Setting Java’s Path in Your Environment

After copying your Java’s path, open the .bash\_profile with your text editor.

`vim .bash_profile`

Export your Java path into the .bash\_profile by adding the following to the bottom of the file. (Your path may look different from mine, and it’s not important that they vary.)

`export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-openjdk-1.8.0.191.b12-1.el7_6.x86_64/jre/bin/java`

Refresh the File:

`Source .bash_profile`

When you use the **JAVA\_HOME** variable you’ll now be able to see the path you set.

`echo $JAVA_HOME`

**Example Output:**

`/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-openjdk-1.8.0.191.b12-1.el7_6.x86_64/jre/bin/java`