How to install latest Node.js on CentOS or Red Hat Enterprise Linux

RPM-based enterprise Linux hosts often lag the upstream Node.js release train because distribution repositories favor supported module streams. The NodeSource RPM repository gives CentOS Stream and Red Hat Enterprise Linux-compatible systems a package-managed path to the current Node.js release line when a project needs newer runtime features than the distro channel provides.

NodeSource uses a setup script to add its RPM repository and signing key, then dnf installs the packaged nodejs build like any other system package. Keeping the runtime in a package repository means future patch updates can arrive through normal dnf update maintenance instead of manual tarball replacement.

For production workloads, the RHEL-supported module stream or an LTS channel is usually the steadier default; the Current channel moves faster. A completed install leaves the NodeSource repository enabled, reports working node and npm versions, and runs a small JavaScript expression through the installed runtime.

1. Open a terminal with sudo privileges.
2. Install curl and the certificate bundle used to fetch the repository setup script.

   $ sudo dnf install --assumeyes curl ca-certificates

3. Download the NodeSource Current RPM setup script.

   $ curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_current.x -o nodesource_setup.sh

   Use setup_lts.x instead when the host should track the latest Node.js LTS line rather than the faster Current line.

4. Add the NodeSource repository.

   $ sudo bash nodesource_setup.sh
   Repository is configured and updated.
   Run 'dnf install nodejs -y' to complete the installation.

5. Install Node.js from the NodeSource repository.

   $ sudo dnf install --assumeyes nodejs
   Dependencies resolved.
   ##### snipped #####
   Installed:
     nodejs-2:26.3.1-1nodesource
   Complete!

   The nodejs package includes npm, so a separate npm package is not needed for the standard NodeSource install.

6. Check the installed Node.js version.

   $ node --version
   v26.3.1

   The exact version changes as NodeSource updates the Current RPM channel.

7. Check the included npm version.

   $ npm --version
   11.16.0

8. Run a JavaScript smoke test with the installed runtime.

   $ node -p 'process.version+" on "+process.platform'
   v26.3.1 on linux

9. Remove the downloaded setup script.

   $ rm --force nodesource_setup.sh