---
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: 484
product: InfluxDB Cloud (TSM)
version: cloud
---

# Data retention in InfluxDB Cloud

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”).

#### 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/)