What Is an RPM File?
An RPM file stands for Red Hat Package Manager — it’s a package format used by Red Hat-based Linux distributions like:
- RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux)
- Fedora
- CentOS
- openSUSE (partially)
- Rocky Linux
- AlmaLinux
It’s similar to .deb files on Ubuntu or .exe files on Windows.
Each .rpm file contains:
- The software program
- Configuration files
- Dependency information (other packages it needs to run)
So when you install an RPM, Linux automatically extracts and configures it on your system.
1. Check If Your System Supports RPM
Most Red Hat–based distros already include RPM support by default.
To confirm, run:
rpm --version
If you see something like:
RPM version 4.18.1
you’re good to go.
If the command isn’t found, install it using:
sudo dnf install rpm
or on older systems:
sudo yum install rpm
2. Install an RPM File Using rpm Command
The basic command to install an RPM file manually is:
sudo rpm -ivh package-name.rpm
Explanation:
- -i → Install
- -v → Verbose output (shows details)
- -h → Displays a progress bar with hash marks
Example:
sudo rpm -ivh google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm
Output:
Preparing... ################################# [100%]
Updating / installing...
1:google-chrome-stable-128.0.6535.0######################### [100%]
When to use:
Use this method when installing from a standalone .rpm file downloaded manually.
3. Installing RPM Files with dnf (Recommended)
If you’re using Fedora, RHEL 8+, Rocky Linux, or AlmaLinux, dnf is the default and safest tool to install RPMs.
Command:
sudo dnf install package-name.rpm
Example:
sudo dnf install google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm
Why it’s better than rpm:
- Automatically resolves dependencies
- Installs missing libraries if required
- Safer and more user-friendly
If you try installing an RPM that depends on other packages, dnf automatically downloads them from official repositories.
4. Installing RPM Files with yum (Older Systems)
If you’re using CentOS 7 or older Red Hat versions, use yum instead of dnf.
Command:
sudo yum install package-name.rpm
Example:
sudo yum install teamviewer.x86_64.rpm
yum is the predecessor of dnf, and the syntax is almost identical.
5. Installing RPM from a Remote URL
You can directly install a package hosted online without downloading it manually.
Command:
sudo dnf install https://dl.google.com/linux/direct/google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm
This automatically downloads and installs the package.
Note:
You can use yum instead of dnf on older systems:
sudo yum install https://example.com/package.rpm
6. Check Installed RPM Packages
To confirm whether a package has been installed successfully:
rpm -qa | grep package-name
Example:
rpm -qa | grep chrome
This will return something like:
google-chrome-stable-128.0.6535.0.x86_64
Tip:-qa stands for “query all,” meaning it lists all installed RPM packages.
7. Check Package Details Before Installation
Before installing an RPM, it’s always a good idea to see what’s inside.
Command:
rpm -qpi package-name.rpm
Example:
rpm -qpi google-chrome-stable_current_x86_64.rpm
Output:
Name : google-chrome-stable
Version : 128.0.6535.0
Release : 1
Architecture: x86_64
Group : Applications/Internet
License : Proprietary
You can also check which files it will install:
rpm -qpl package-name.rpm
8. Update an Installed RPM Package
If a new version of your RPM is released, update it using:
sudo rpm -Uvh package-name.rpm
Explanation:
- -U → Upgrade (installs new or updates old)
- -v → Verbose
- -h → Progress bar
Example:
sudo rpm -Uvh vscode-latest.x86_64.rpm
If you prefer dnf:
sudo dnf upgrade package-name.rpm
9. Uninstall (Remove) an RPM Package
To remove an installed RPM:
sudo rpm -e package-name
Example:
sudo rpm -e google-chrome-stable
If dependencies are involved, use:
sudo dnf remove package-name
Why prefer dnf or yum:
They handle dependency cleanup better than raw rpm.
10. Verify Installed Packages
If you want to check if a specific RPM package is intact and not corrupted:
rpm -V package-name
It verifies that all files match the original installation.
If everything’s fine, you’ll get no output. If not, it shows mismatched files.
11. Convert a .deb Package to .rpm (Optional Tip)
If you only have a .deb (Debian) package, you can convert it using the alien tool.
Install Alien:
sudo dnf install alien
Convert and Install:
sudo alien -r package-name.deb
sudo rpm -ivh package-name.rpm
Note:
This isn’t always perfect — use it only if the software doesn’t provide an official RPM package.
12. Common Errors While Installing RPMs
| Error | Meaning | Fix |
|---|---|---|
failed dependencies | Some required packages are missing | Use dnf install instead of rpm to auto-resolve |
file conflicts | Another version or similar package exists | Remove old package before installing |
package already installed | The same version is already present | Use rpm -Uvh to upgrade |
Pro Tip: Always prefer dnf or yum for safe dependency management.
13. GUI Method (Optional)
If you’re using a Linux desktop environment, you can also install RPMs through the Software Center.
Steps:
- Right-click the
.rpmfile. - Choose “Open With → Software Install”.
- Click Install and enter your password.
Behind the scenes, this uses dnf or PackageKit.
Summary of Commands
| Purpose | Command |
|---|---|
| Install RPM | sudo rpm -ivh package.rpm |
| Install with dependencies | sudo dnf install package.rpm |
| Update RPM | sudo rpm -Uvh package.rpm |
| Remove RPM | sudo rpm -e package-name |
| Check installed | `rpm -qa |
| View details | rpm -qpi package.rpm |
| Verify package | rpm -V package-name |
Example: Installing Visual Studio Code RPM on Fedora
Let’s do a practical example:
Step 1: Download the RPM file
wget https://code.visualstudio.com/sha/download?build=stable&os=linux-rpm-x64 -O vscode.rpm
Step 2: Install the package
sudo dnf install ./vscode.rpm
Step 3: Verify installation
code --version
Output:
1.94.2
You’ve successfully installed VS Code via RPM!
Ending Words
Installing RPM files in Linux is straightforward once you know the right commands.
The best practice for most systems is:
sudo dnf install package-name.rpm
because it automatically manages dependencies and ensures stability.
Use the rpm command only for manual installs or troubleshooting.
With this guide, you can confidently install, verify, update, and remove RPM packages like a pro — whether on Fedora, CentOS, or RHEL-based systems.
