How to install Node.js on CentOS or RHEL

Node.js runs JavaScript command-line tools and server applications on RHEL-family Linux systems. Installing it from the distribution AppStream repositories keeps the runtime under dnf control, which matters when the same host receives normal operating-system updates.

Current CentOS Stream, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux releases expose Node.js as AppStream content. A selected stream such as nodejs:24 installs Node.js and npm from the same vendor repository set instead of adding an external package source.

The dnf path uses the repository metadata already configured on the system. NodeSource is a separate choice when distribution streams do not provide the release line required by the application.

Step-by-step video guide:

Steps to install Node.js on CentOS or RHEL:

List the available Node.js AppStream streams.

$ sudo dnf module list nodejs
Rocky Linux 9 - AppStream
Name   Stream Profiles                              Summary
nodejs 18     common [d], development, minimal, s2i Javascript runtime
nodejs 20     common [d], development, minimal, s2i Javascript runtime
nodejs 22     common [d], development, minimal, s2i Javascript runtime
nodejs 24     common [d], development, minimal, s2i Javascript runtime

Enable the Node.js stream required by the application.

$ sudo dnf module enable --assumeyes nodejs:24
Dependencies resolved.
================================================================================
 Package           Architecture     Version             Repository         Size
================================================================================
Enabling module streams:
 nodejs                             24

Transaction Summary
================================================================================

Complete!

Use another listed stream, such as nodejs:20 or nodejs:22, only when the application is pinned to that release line.

Install Node.js and npm from AppStream.

$ sudo dnf install --assumeyes nodejs npm
Dependencies resolved.
======================================================================================================
 Package                 Arch     Version                                             Repo        Size
======================================================================================================
Installing:
 nodejs                  x86_64  1:24.14.1-2.module+el9.7.0+40151+7a588b37           appstream   67 k
 npm                     noarch   1:11.11.0-1.24.14.1.2.module+el9.7.0+40151+7a588b37 appstream  1.9 M
Installing dependencies:
 nodejs-libs             x86_64  1:24.14.1-2.module+el9.7.0+40151+7a588b37           appstream   17 M
##### snipped #####
Complete!

Check the installed Node.js version.
```
$ node --version
v24.14.1
```
Check the installed npm version.
```
$ npm --version
11.11.0
```
Run a Node.js smoke test.
```
$ node --eval "console.log(1 + 2)"
3
```