Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

RISC-V GNU Toolchain

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit github.com
Spec score 8.0 #12 of 30 in Embedded Systems Toolchains

What it is

RISC-V GNU Toolchain is a C and C++ cross-compiler for building bare-metal ELF or Linux ELF toolchains. It supports RV32 and RV64 targets, with RV64GC as the default, and lets builders select architecture extensions and ABIs. Bare-metal configurations can use Newlib or Picolibc; Linux configurations can use glibc, musl, or uClibc. Multilib builds can target 32-bit and 64-bit systems for Newlib and Linux/glibc toolchains. The toolchain includes GCC, binutils, GDB, and supported libraries. LLVM can be built alongside it using a configure option, though that option cannot be combined with multilib settings. The project documents testing with DejaGNU and make check targets, plus QEMU, GDB, and experimental Spike simulator options whose availability varies by toolchain. Hosts include Linux and macOS; Windows use is through a Linux subsystem or Cygwin. A build needs about 8 GiB of disk space, and cloning takes around 6.65 GB. It is free and open-source, with development material aimed at developers and advanced users.

Spec sheet

What it does
It is a RISC-V C and C++ cross-compiler that builds bare-metal ELF or Linux ELF toolchains.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Purpose
The project provides a RISC-V C and C++ cross-compiler that can build bare-metal ELF or Linux ELF toolchains.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Platforms
The README provides build instructions for Linux distributions and macOS, including Apple Silicon; it also discusses Linux subsystem or Cygwin builds on Windows.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
License
The repository has a LICENSE file containing licensing terms for the project and its included components.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Headquarters
SwitzerlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Architecture and ABI
It supports rv32i or rv64i with standard extensions and lists ilp32 and lp64 ABI variants.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Bare-metal libraries
Bare-metal builds can use Newlib or Picolibc.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Build requirements
The README says a build downloads about 200 MiB of upstream sources and needs about 8 GiB of disk space; cloning the repository takes around 6.65 GB.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Build size
The README says cloning takes around 6.65 GB and a build needs about 8 GiB of disk space.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
C libraries
Bare-metal builds can use Newlib or Picolibc, while Linux builds can use glibc, musl, or uClibc.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Development audience
The development section is described as intended for developers, advanced users, or users building with their own source tree.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Linux libraries
Linux builds can use glibc, musl, or uClibc.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
LLVM integration
LLVM can be built in combination with the toolchain using the --enable-llvm configure flag.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Multilib
Multilib is available for Newlib and Linux/glibc toolchains; musl, uClibc, and Picolibc build a single variant.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security information
The repository page shows a Security and quality section with 0 alerts.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Simulation
The project documents QEMU, GDB, and experimental Spike simulators for testing, with QEMU as the maintained test-suite allowlist.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support channel
The repository provides an issue tracker and pull request interface on GitHub.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Supported host systems
The README provides build prerequisites for Ubuntu, Fedora/CentOS/RHEL, Arch Linux, and macOS.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Test suite
A port of the DejaGnu test suite is available, and make check and make report are wired for Newlib and Linux/glibc toolchains.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Testing
The repository includes DejaGNU test support, and documents make check targets for GCC, Binutils, and glibc on Linux toolchains.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com
Who it is for
The README describes its development section as intended for developers, advanced users, or people building with their own source trees.Read 29 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

RISC-V GNU Compiler Toolchain Free C and C++ cross-compiler · bare-metal or Linux ELF toolchain Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Every RISC-V GNU Toolchain plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Builds bare-metal or Linux ELF toolchains.
  • Supports RV32 and RV64 configurations.
  • Offers Newlib, Picolibc, glibc, musl, and uClibc.
  • Includes GCC, binutils, and GDB.
  • Free plan; open-source license model.

Limits

  • Build requires about 8 GiB of disk space.
  • Repository clone takes around 6.65 GB.
  • LLVM and multilib configuration flags cannot be combined.
  • Windows use requires a Linux subsystem or Cygwin.

Who it suits

It suits developers and advanced users building RISC-V toolchains, especially those working with their own source trees. It is available for Linux and macOS hosts, and Windows through a Linux subsystem or Cygwin.

Verdict

RISC-V GNU Toolchain covers both bare-metal and Linux targets, with selectable architectures, libraries, and test options. Its build and clone sizes are substantial, and some configurations cannot be combined.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to RISC-V GNU ToolchainAll alternatives →