---
title: Sort and limit data with Flux
description: Use the sort()function to order records within each table by specific columns and the limit() function to limit the number of records in output tables to a fixed number, n.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb/v1/flux/guides/sort-limit/
estimated_tokens: 1593
product: InfluxDB OSS v1
version: v1
---

# Sort and limit data with Flux

This page documents an earlier version of InfluxDB OSS. [InfluxDB 3 Core](/influxdb3/core/) is the latest stable version.

Use the [`sort()`function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/sort) to order records within each table by specific columns and the [`limit()` function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/limit) to limit the number of records in output tables to a fixed number, `n`.

If you’re just getting started with Flux queries, check out the following:

-   [Get started with Flux](/influxdb/v1/flux/get-started/) for a conceptual overview of Flux and parts of a Flux query.
-   [Execute queries](/influxdb/v1/flux/guides/execute-queries/) to discover a variety of ways to run your queries.

##### Example sorting system uptime

The following example orders system uptime first by region, then host, then value.

```js
from(bucket:"db/rp")
  |> range(start:-12h)
  |> filter(fn: (r) =>
    r._measurement == "system" and
    r._field == "uptime"
  )
  |> sort(columns:["region", "host", "_value"])
```

The [`limit()` function](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/limit) limits the number of records in output tables to a fixed number, `n`. The following example shows up to 10 records from the past hour.

```js
from(bucket:"db/rp")
  |> range(start:-1h)
  |> limit(n:10)
```

You can use `sort()` and `limit()` together to show the top N records. The example below returns the 10 top system uptime values sorted first by region, then host, then value.

```js
from(bucket:"db/rp")
  |> range(start:-12h)
  |> filter(fn: (r) =>
    r._measurement == "system" and
    r._field == "uptime"
  )
  |> sort(columns:["region", "host", "_value"])
  |> limit(n:10)
```

You now have created a Flux query that sorts and limits data. Flux also provides the [`top()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/top) and [`bottom()`](/flux/v0/stdlib/universe/bottom) functions to perform both of these functions at the same time.