Written byPHP 8.5 is the latest stable PHP branch, and PHP 8.5.9 is the latest stable release as of August 15, 2026.
PHP 8.6.0 Beta 1 is also available for testing. It is a preview, not the version I would deploy to production.
| What you mean by “latest” | Version | Release date | Use it for production? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latest stable PHP | PHP 8.5.9 | July 30, 2026 | Yes, when your stack supports it |
| Latest PHP 8.6 preview | PHP 8.6.0 Beta 1 | August 13, 2026 | No, test only |
The stable release number comes from PHP’s official release index. The preview status comes from the PHP 8.6 Beta 1 announcement.
Supported PHP versions right now
PHP supports a branch actively for two years, then provides two more years of critical security fixes.
| Version | Initial release | Active support until | Security support until | Status on August 15, 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHP 8.2 | December 8, 2022 | December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2026 | Security fixes only |
| PHP 8.3 | November 23, 2023 | December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2027 | Security fixes only |
| PHP 8.4 | November 21, 2024 | December 31, 2026 | December 31, 2028 | Active support |
| PHP 8.5 | November 20, 2025 | December 31, 2027 | December 31, 2029 | Current stable branch |
These dates come from PHP’s supported versions table. PHP 8.1 and older are already out of support.
Which PHP version should you use?
- New project: use PHP 8.5 when your framework, packages, host, and extensions support it.
- Conservative production target: PHP 8.4 is still actively supported through December 31, 2026.
- PHP 8.3 or 8.2: plan the upgrade. Both branches now receive security fixes only.
- PHP 8.1 or older: treat the move as current upgrade work, not future maintenance.
- PHP 8.6 beta: use it in a disposable test environment to find compatibility problems early.
For Laravel projects, check the framework at the same time. Laravel 13 supports PHP 8.3 through 8.5; my Laravel versions page keeps that support map separate.
Stable release versus preview release
PHP uses preview labels in a deliberate order:
- Alpha
- Beta
- Release candidate (RC)
- Stable
A beta is useful for package maintainers and teams preparing an upgrade. It can still change and it is not covered like a stable branch.
If your goal is to run a production app, “latest PHP” means PHP 8.5.9, not PHP 8.6.0 Beta 1.
Check the PHP version you are actually using
Run:
php -v
That reports the command-line PHP binary. It may differ from the PHP-FPM or Apache version serving your website.
For the full diagnosis—including multiple binaries, php.ini, Laravel, Docker, and web-server differences—use How to check your PHP version quickly.
Also check the PHP constraint in composer.json:
{ "require": { "php": "^8.4 || ^8.5" } }
Then ask Composer whether the current machine satisfies every installed package:
composer check-platform-reqs
Verify the latest release yourself
Use these official pages instead of trusting a version number copied months ago:
- PHP releases for stable point releases
- PHP supported versions for lifecycle dates
- PHP news archive for alpha, beta, and release-candidate announcements
If you are deciding what to do after checking the version, these are the useful next steps:
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