# Cross-compiler

## About this Install Guide

| Reading time:                 | 15 min           |
|-------------------------------|-----------------|
| Last updated:                 | 22 Jun 2026     |
| Author:                       | Jason Andrews, Arm [GitHub](https://github.com/jasonrandrews) [LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/jason-andrews-7b05a8) |
| Official docs:                | [View](https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/) |

This guide shows you how to install and use the tool with the most common configuration. For advanced options and complete reference information, see the official documentation. Some install guides also include optional next steps to help you explore related workflows or integrations.

GCC is available on all Linux distributions and can be installed using the package manager. This covers `gcc` and `g++` for compiling C and C++ as a cross-compiler targeting the Arm Linux architecture. For bare-metal and embedded targets such as `arm-none-eabi`, see the [Arm GNU Toolchain](https://learn.arm.com/install-guides/gcc/arm-gnu) install guide.

## Before you begin

GCC is used to cross-compile Linux applications targeting Arm. Applications can be compiled for 32-bit or 64-bit Arm Linux systems.

The executables for 32-bit are `arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc` and `arm-linux-gnueabihf-g++`.

The executables for 64-bit are `aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc` and `aarch64-linux-gnu-g++`.

Software can be compiled on an `x86_64` or `Arm` host machine.

## How do I download a GCC cross compiler targeting Arm?

The Linux package manager downloads the required files. No manual download is needed.

## How do I install a GCC cross compiler on Linux?

You can install a GCC cross compiler with Arm as a target architecture using Linux package managers.

### Installing on Debian based distributions such as Ubuntu

Use the `apt` command to install the cross-compilers for 32-bit and 64-bit Arm Linux targets.

```bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install gcc-arm-linux-gnueabihf -y
sudo apt install gcc-aarch64-linux-gnu -y
```

The GCC version installed is tied to your Ubuntu release. For example, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS provides GCC 13 and Ubuntu 25.10 provides GCC 15. This is normal Ubuntu packaging behaviour.

### Installing on Fedora

Fedora uses the `dnf` package manager.

- If the machine has `sudo` you can use it:
  ```bash
  sudo dnf update -y
  sudo dnf install gcc-aarch64-linux-gnu -y
  sudo dnf install gcc-arm-linux-gnu -y
  ```
  
- If `sudo` is not available become *root* and omit the `sudo` from the above commands:
  ```bash
  dnf update -y
  dnf install gcc-aarch64-linux-gnu -y
  dnf install gcc-arm-linux-gnu -y
  ```

On Fedora, only building kernels is currently supported. Support for cross-building user space programs is not currently provided, as that would massively multiply the number of packages.

## Setting up product license

GCC is open source and freely available for use.

## Get started

To confirm the installations are successful, enter:

```bash
aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc --version
arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc --version
```

To cross-compile an example program, create a text file named `hello-world.c` with the contents below.

```c
#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    printf("Hello, Arm World!\n");
    return 0;
}
```

To cross-compile for a 64-bit Arm Linux target. On Fedora, only building kernels is currently supported, so these examples apply to Ubuntu.

```bash
aarch64-linux-gnu-gcc hello-world.c -o hello-world-aarch64.elf
```

To cross-compile for a 32-bit Arm Linux target:

```bash
arm-linux-gnueabihf-gcc hello-world.c -o hello-world-arm.elf
```