Managing different versions of Node.js is essential for modern development. Some projects need an older version (like Node 14 or 16), while others need the latest LTS version.
NVM (Node Version Manager) makes this easy by allowing you to install, switch, and manage multiple Node.js versions on the same machine.
This guide explains how to:
✅ Install NVM
✅ Install Node.js using NVM
✅ Use multiple Node versions
✅ Switch between versions
✅ Uninstall or set default versions
✅ Works for Windows, macOS, and Linux
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🚀 What is NVM?
NVM stands for Node Version Manager.
It is a command-line tool that lets you:
• Install any Node version
• Switch versions quickly
• Set a default version
• Use different versions per project
• Test your app in various Node environments
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🟦 1. Install NVM on Windows
Windows does not support the original nvm-sh.
Instead, we use a dedicated tool called nvm-windows.
✅ Step 1 — Download Installer
Go to: 🔗 https://github.com/coreybutler/nvm-windows/releases
Download the file: nvm-setup.exe
✅ Step 2 — Run Installer
During installation:
• Choose location for NVM
• Choose Node.js symlink path
• Click Next → Install
✅ Step 3 — Verify Installation
Open cmd or PowerShell: nvm version
If you see a version number, NVM is ready.
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✅ Install Node.js using Windows NVM
Install latest LTS: nvm install lts
Install a specific version: nvm install 18.17.0
Use a Node version: nvm use 18.17.0
Check current version: node -v
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✅ 2. Install NVM on macOS (Official NVM)
On macOS, we use the original NVM from nvm-sh.
✅ Step 1 — Install via cURL
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash
✅ Step 2 — Add NVM to your shell config
If you’re using zsh (default on macOS):
echo 'export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo '[-s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"' >> ~/.zshrc
Reload config: source ~/.zshrc
✅ Step 3 — Verify NVM
nvm -v
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✅ Install Node.js on macOS
Install latest Node LTS: nvm install --lts
Install specific Node version: nvm install 20.10.0
Use a version: nvm use 20.10.0
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✅ 3. Install NVM on Linux
Works on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, etc.
✅ Step 1 — Install NVM
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash
or using wget:
wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash
✅ Step 2 — Add to shell config (.bashrc or .zshrc)
export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
[-s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"] && . "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"
Reload: source ~/.bashrc
✅ Step 3 — Verify
nvm -v
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🎯 Common NVM Commands (macOS & Linux)
✅ List installed Node versions
nvm ls
✅ List all available versions
nvm ls-remote
✅ Set default Node version
nvm alias default 18
✅ Uninstall a Node version
nvm uninstall 16
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🎯 Common NVM Commands (Windows)
List installed versions: nvm list
Set default version: nvm use 20
Uninstall version: nvm uninstall 16.0.0
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🧠 Tip: Use .nvmrc File Per Project
Inside any project, create a file named: .nvmrc
Add the Node version: 18
Then run: nvm use
NVM will automatically switch to the required Node version.
Originally published at www.tayloramitverma.com.
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