---
title: Work with Prometheus counters
description: Use Flux to query and transform Prometheus counter metrics stored in InfluxDB. A counter is a cumulative metric that represents a single monotonically increasing counter whose value can only increase or be reset to zero on restart.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/flux/v0/prometheus/metric-types/counter/
estimated_tokens: 12447
product: Flux
version: v0
---

# Work with Prometheus counters

Use Flux to query and transform Prometheus **counter** metrics stored in InfluxDB.

> A *counter* is a cumulative metric that represents a single [monotonically increasing counter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monotonic_function) whose value can only increase or be reset to zero on restart.
> 
> [Prometheus metric types](https://prometheus.io/docs/concepts/metric_types/#counter)

##### Example counter metric in Prometheus format

```sh
# HELP example_counter_total Total representing an example counter metric
# TYPE example_counter_total counter
example_counter_total 282327
```

Because counters can periodically reset to 0, **any query involving counter metrics should [normalize the data](#normalize-counter-resets) to account for counter resets** before further processing.

The examples below include example data collected from the **InfluxDB OSS 2.x `/metrics` endpoint** using `prometheus.scrape()` and stored in InfluxDB.

#### Prometheus metric parsing formats

Query structure depends on the [Prometheus metric parsing format](/influxdb/v2/reference/prometheus-metrics/) used to scrape the Prometheus metrics. Select the appropriate metric format version below.

-   [Normalize counter resets](#normalize-counter-resets)
-   [Calculate changes between normalized counter values](#calculate-changes-between-normalized-counter-values)
-   [Calculate the rate of change in normalized counter values](#calculate-the-rate-of-change-in-normalized-counter-values)

## Normalize counter resets

<!-- Tabbed content: Select one of the following options -->

**Metric version 2:**

1. Filter results by the `prometheus` measurement and **counter metric name** field.
2. Use [`increase()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/increase/) to normalize counter resets. `increase()` returns the cumulative sum of positive changes in column values.

`increase()` accounts for counter resets, but may lose some precision on reset depending on your scrape interval. On counter reset, `increase()` assumes no increase.

```js
from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "prometheus" and r._field == "http_query_request_bytes")
    |> increase()
```

![Raw Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-increase-input.png)

![Increase on Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-increase-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

#### Example input

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 4302 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 4844 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 5091 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 13 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 215 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 762 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1108 |

#### Example output

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1897 |

**Metric version 1:**

1. Filter results by the **counter metric name** measurement and `counter` field.
2. Use [`increase()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/increase/) to normalize counter resets. `increase()` returns the cumulative sum of positive changes in column values.

`increase()` accounts for counter resets, but may lose some precision on reset depending on your scrape interval. On counter reset, `increase()` assumes no increase.

```js
from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "http_query_request_bytes" and r._field == "counter")
    |> increase()
```

![Raw Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-increase-input.png)

![Increase on Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-increase-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

#### Example input

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 4302 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 4844 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 5091 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 13 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 215 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 762 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1108 |

#### Example output

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1897 |

<!-- End tabbed content -->

## Calculate changes between normalized counter values

Use [`difference()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/difference/) with [normalized counter data](#normalize-counter-resets) to return the difference between subsequent values.

<!-- Tabbed content: Select one of the following options -->

**Metric version 2:**

```js
from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "prometheus" and r._field == "http_query_request_bytes")
    |> increase()
    |> difference()
```

![Raw Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-normalized-input.png)

![Normalize Prometheus counter metric to account for counter resets](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-difference-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

#### Example normalized counter data

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1897 |

#### Example difference output

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 247 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 13 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 202 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 547 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 346 |

**Metric version 1:**

```js
from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "http_query_request_bytes" and r._field == "counter")
    |> increase()
    |> difference()
```

![Raw Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-normalized-input.png)

![Normalize Prometheus counter metric to account for counter resets](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-difference-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

#### Example normalized counter data

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1897 |

#### Example difference output

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 247 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 13 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 202 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 547 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 346 |

<!-- End tabbed content -->

## Calculate the rate of change in normalized counter values

Use [`derivative()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/derivative/) to calculate the rate of change between [normalized counter values](#normalize-counter-resets). By default, `derivative()` returns the rate of change per second. Use the [`unit` parameter](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/derivative/#unit) to customize the rate unit.

<!-- Tabbed content: Select one of the following options -->

**Metric version 2:**

```js
from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "prometheus" and r._field == "http_query_request_bytes")
    |> increase()
    |> derivative()
```

![Normalized Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-normalized-input.png)

![Calculate the rate of change in Prometheus counter metric with Flux](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-derivative-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

#### Example normalized counter data

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1897 |

#### Example derivative output

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 54.2 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 24.7 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1.3 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 20.2 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 54.7 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 34.6 |

**Metric version 1:**

```js
from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "http_query_request_bytes" and r._field == "counter")
    |> increase()
    |> derivative()
```

![Normalized Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-normalized-input.png)

![Calculate the rate of change in Prometheus counter metric with Flux](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-derivative-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

#### Example normalized counter data

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1897 |

#### Example derivative output

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 54.2 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 24.7 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1.3 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 20.2 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 54.7 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 34.6 |

<!-- End tabbed content -->

## Calculate the average rate of change in specified time windows

To calculate the average rate of change in [normalized counter values](#normalize-counter-resets) in specified time windows:

1. Import the [`experimental/aggregate` package](/flux/v0/stdlib/experimental/aggregate/).
    
2. [Normalized counter values](#normalize-counter-resets).
    
3. Use [`aggregate.rate()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/experimental/aggregate/rate/) to calculate the average rate of change per time window.
    
    -   Use the [`every` parameter](/flux/v0/stdlib/experimental/aggregate/rate/#every) to define the time window interval.
    -   Use the [`unit` parameter](/flux/v0/stdlib/experimental/aggregate/rate/#unit) to customize the rate unit.By default, `aggregate.rate()` returns the per second (`1s`) rate of change.
    -   Use the [`groupColumns` parameter](/flux/v0/stdlib/experimental/aggregate/rate/#groupcolumns) to specify columns to group by when performing the aggregation.

<!-- Tabbed content: Select one of the following options -->

**Metric version 2:**

```js
import "experimental/aggregate"

from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "prometheus" and r._field == "http_query_request_bytes")
    |> increase()
    |> aggregate.rate(every: 15s, unit: 1s)
```

![Normalized Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-normalized-input.png)

![Calculate the rate of change in Prometheus counter metrics per time window with Flux](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-aggregate-rate-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

`_start` and `_stop` columns have been omitted.

#### Example normalized counter data

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | prometheus | http_query_request_bytes | 1897 |

#### Example aggregate.rate output

| _time | _value |
| --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:15Z | 54.2 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:30Z | 24.7 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:45Z | 10.75 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | 54.7 |

**Metric version 1:**

```js
import "experimental/aggregate"

from(bucket: "example-bucket")
    |> range(start: -1m)
    |> filter(fn: (r) => r._measurement == "http_query_request_bytes" and r._field == "counter")
    |> increase()
    |> aggregate.rate(every: 15s, unit: 1s)
```

![Normalized Prometheus counter metric in InfluxDB](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-normalized-input.png)

![Calculate the rate of change in Prometheus counter metrics per time window with Flux](/img/flux/0-x-prometheus-counter-aggregate-rate-output.png)

[](#view-example-input-and-output-data)

View example input and output data

`_start` and `_stop` columns have been omitted.

#### Example normalized counter data

| _time | _measurement | _field | _value |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 0 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:10Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 542 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:20Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 789 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:30Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 802 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:40Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1004 |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:50Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1551 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | http_query_request_bytes | counter | 1897 |

#### Example aggregate.rate output

| _time | _value |
| --- | --- |
| 2021-01-01T00:00:15Z | 54.2 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:30Z | 24.7 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:45Z | 10.75 |
| 2021-01-01T00:01:00Z | 54.7 |

<!-- End tabbed content -->

#### Related

-   [Prometheus metric types](https://prometheus.io/docs/concepts/metric_types/)
-   [Prometheus metric parsing formats](/influxdb/v2/reference/prometheus-metrics/)

[prometheus](/flux/v0/tags/prometheus/)