Understanding : Version Numbers

This article explains X-Plane’s version numbering schemes, patching and beta programs.

Version Numbering Scheme

From X-Plane 12 onwards, Laminar Research uses a three-digit version number, such as 12.1.1

Product Version Number

The first number is the product version. Right now X-Plane is on version 12, so all releases within this product version run start with 12.x.x.

Upgrades to a new product version must be individually purchased. The time between new product versions varies; historically they’ve been about two/three years apart, with a few product versions running a little bit longer.

Major Version Number

The second number is the major version number. Major releases include larger features, enhancements and bug fixes. Major releases will always have a closed alpha for our 3rd Party Developer Community and a open beta for everyone before they are declared final.

All major releases within a product version are free of charge, e.g. if you buy X-Plane 12, you are entitled to any future 12.x.x updates. Major releases are available using the X-Plane Installer and on Steam.

Minor Version Number

The third number is the minor version number. Similar to major releases, minor releases include new features, enhancements and bug fixes. However, those changes are usually a lot smaller and less intrusive and do not require an alpha or beta run before the update is being released. Although, we may decide to run an alpha or beta anyway.

Minor releases are always free of charge and are available using the X-Plane Installer and on Steam.

Version Suffix

All releases are labelled with a suffix such as -a1 for Alpha 1, -b2 for Beta 2, or -r1 for Release 1.

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