---
title: Create a table
description: Use the influxdb3 CLI or HTTP API to create a table in a specified database in InfluxDB 3 Core.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb3/core/admin/tables/create/
estimated_tokens: 3536
product: InfluxDB 3 Core
version: core
---

# Create a table

Use the [`influxdb3 create table` command](/influxdb3/core/reference/cli/influxdb3/create/table/) or the [HTTP API](/influxdb3/core/api/v3/) to create a table in a specified database in InfluxDB 3 Core.

With InfluxDB 3 Core, tables and measurements are synonymous. Typically, tables are created automatically on write using the table name specified in line protocol written to InfluxDB. However, you can manually create tables to define a custom schema or apply custom settings before writing data.

-   [Create a table using the influxdb3 CLI](#create-a-table-using-the-influxdb3-cli)
    
-   [Create a table using the HTTP API](#create-a-table-using-the-http-api)
    
-   [Data retention](#data-retention)
    
-   [Table naming restrictions](#table-naming-restrictions)
    

## Create a table using the influxdb3 CLI

Use the `influxdb3 create table` command and provide the following:

-   *Required*: The name of the database to create the table in
-   *Required*: The name of the table to create (see [Table naming restrictions](#table-naming-restrictions))
-   *Required*: Tag columns to include in the table (must have at least one tag column)
-   *Optional*: Field columns and their data types to include in the table

Tables must include at least one tag column. Field columns are optional and can be added later when you write data.

#### Tag order affects query performance

When considering your schema and creating your table, order your tags by query priority. Place the most commonly queried tags first. Columns that appear earlier are typically faster to filter and access during query execution.

For more information, see [Optimize writes](/influxdb3/core/write-data/best-practices/optimize-writes/#sort-tags-by-query-priority).

```bash
# Create a table with tag columns
influxdb3 create table \
  --tags tag1,tag2,tag3 \
  --database DATABASE_NAME \
  --token AUTH_TOKEN \
  TABLE_NAME

# Create a table with tag and field columns
influxdb3 create table \
  --tags room,sensor_id \
  --fields temp:float64,hum:float64,co:int64 \
  --database DATABASE_NAME \
  --token AUTH_TOKEN \
  TABLE_NAME
```

Replace the following:

-   `DATABASE_NAME`: the name of the database to create the table in
-   `TABLE_NAME`: the name of the table to create
-   `AUTH_TOKEN`: your [admin token](/influxdb3/core/admin/tokens/)

## Create a table using the HTTP API

To create a table using the HTTP API, send a `POST` request to the `/api/v3/configure/table` endpoint:

POST localhost:8181/api/v3/configure/table

Include the following in your request:

-   **Headers**:
    -   `Authorization: Bearer` with your authentication token
    -   `Content-Type: application/json`
-   **Request body**: JSON object with table configuration
    -   `db` *(string, required)*: Database name
    -   `table` *(string, required)*: Table name
    -   `tags` *(array, required)*: Tag column names
    -   `fields` *(array, required)*: Field definitions with name and type. Provide an empty array if no fields are defined.

```bash
# Create a table with tag columns
curl -X POST "localhost:8181/api/v3/configure/table" \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer AUTH_TOKEN" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data '{
    "db": "DATABASE_NAME",
    "table": "TABLE_NAME",
    "tags": ["tag1", "tag2", "tag3"],
    "fields": []
  }'

# Create a table with tag and field columns
curl -X POST "localhost:8181/api/v3/configure/table" \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer AUTH_TOKEN" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data '{
    "db": "DATABASE_NAME",
    "table": "TABLE_NAME",
    "tags": ["room", "sensor_id"],
    "fields": [
      {"name": "temp", "type": "float64"},
      {"name": "hum", "type": "float64"},
      {"name": "co", "type": "int64"}
    ]
  }'
```

Replace the following:

-   `DATABASE_NAME`: the name of the database to create the table in
-   `TABLE_NAME`: the name of the table to create
-   `AUTH_TOKEN`: your [admin token](/influxdb3/core/admin/tokens/)

## Data retention

In InfluxDB 3 Core, tables use the database retention period.

Points with timestamps outside of the database’s retention period are no longer queryable and are marked for deletion. To control data retention for your tables, set a retention period when [creating the database](/influxdb3/core/admin/databases/create/#retention-period).

For more information, see [Data retention in InfluxDB 3 Core](/influxdb3/core/reference/internals/data-retention/).

#### Upgrade to Enterprise for table-specific retention

With InfluxDB 3 Enterprise, you can set table-level retention periods that override the database retention period. This allows you to maintain different retention policies for different types of data within the same database.

For more information, see [InfluxDB 3 Enterprise](/influxdb3/enterprise/).

## Table naming restrictions

Table names in InfluxDB 3 Core must adhere to the following naming restrictions:

-   **Allowed characters**: Alphanumeric characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9), underscore (`_`), dash (`-`)
-   **Starting character**: Should start with a letter or number and should not start with underscore (`_`)
-   **Case sensitivity**: Table names are case-sensitive
-   **Quoting**: Use double quotes when names contain special characters or whitespace

#### Underscore prefix reserved for system use

Names starting with an underscore (`_`) may be reserved for InfluxDB system use. While InfluxDB 3 Core might not explicitly reject these names, using them risks conflicts with current or future system features and may result in unexpected behavior or data loss.

#### Related

-   [influxdb3 create table](/influxdb3/core/reference/cli/influxdb3/create/table/)
-   [Naming restrictions and conventions](/influxdb3/core/reference/naming-restrictions/)