Linux Mint is primarily based on Ubuntu , and indirectly on Debian , with a separate variant called Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) that is based directly on Debian.

What Is Linux Mint Based On? (Quick Scoop)

Core Base

  • The main Linux Mint editions (Cinnamon, MATE, Xfce) are based on Ubuntu’s Long Term Support (LTS) releases.
  • Because Ubuntu itself is built on Debian, Mint inherits a Debian lineage as well.
  • There is also Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) , which skips Ubuntu and uses Debian directly as its base.

In short: Standard Linux Mint → Ubuntu LTS based; LMDE → Debian based.

Mini Sections

1. Why Ubuntu as a base?

  • Ubuntu’s LTS releases give Mint a stable, long‑supported foundation with huge repositories and broad hardware support.
  • This lets Mint focus on its desktop experience (Cinnamon, tools, polish) rather than rebuilding low-level plumbing.

2. Where Debian fits in

  • Ubuntu pulls from Debian, and Mint “stands on the shoulders of giants” by building on Debian and Ubuntu together.
  • LMDE exists as a Debian-based Mint to ensure Mint could continue even if Ubuntu disappeared and to stay closer to upstream Debian.

3. Practical takeaway for users

  • If you download “Linux Mint Cinnamon/MATE/Xfce” from the main site, you are using an Ubuntu-based Mint.
  • If you download LMDE , you are using a Debian-based Mint.

Small HTML Table (Base Overview)

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Edition Base Notes
Linux Mint (Cinnamon / MATE / Xfce) Ubuntu LTS Most popular, desktop‑oriented, uses Ubuntu repositories.
Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) Debian Directly based on Debian, designed to feel like regular Mint.
**TL;DR:** If someone asks “what is Linux Mint based on?”, the everyday, accurate answer is: **It’s based on Ubuntu (and there’s also a Debian-based LMDE edition).**

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.