---
title: Data retention in InfluxDB Cloud
description: The InfluxDB Cloud retention service checks for and removes data with timestamps beyond the defined retention period of the bucket the data is stored in.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb/cloud/reference/internals/data-retention/
estimated_tokens: 382
product: InfluxDB Cloud (TSM)
version: cloud
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb/cloud/reference/internals/data-retention/
date: '2024-03-11T15:06:15-05:00'
lastmod: '2024-03-11T15:06:15-05:00'
---

The **InfluxDB Cloud retention enforcement service** checks for and removes data
with timestamps beyond the defined retention period of the[bucket](/influxdb/cloud/reference/glossary/#bucket) the data is stored in.
This service is designed to automatically delete “expired” data and optimize disk
usage without any user intervention.

* [Bucket retention period](#bucket-retention-period)
* [When does data actually get deleted?](#when-does-data-actually-get-deleted)

## Bucket retention period

A **bucket retention period** is the [duration](/influxdb/cloud/glossary/#duration) of time that a bucket retains data.
Retention periods can be infinite or as short as an hour.[Points](/influxdb/cloud/reference/glossary/#point) in a bucket with timestamps
beyond the defined retention period (relative to now) are flagged for deletion
(also known as “tombstoned”).

> [!Note]
> #### View bucket retention periods
>
> Use the [`influx bucket list` command](/influxdb/cloud/reference/cli/influx/bucket/list/)to view the retention period buckets in your organization.

## When does data actually get deleted?

The InfluxDB Cloud retention enforcement service **runs hourly** and tombstones
all points with timestamps beyond the bucket retention period.
Tombstoned points persist on disk, but are filtered from all query results until
the next [compaction](/influxdb/cloud/reference/glossary/#compaction) cycle,
when they are removed from disk.
Compaction cycle intervals vary.

[internals](/influxdb/cloud/tags/internals/)