---
title: Telegraf metrics
description: Telegraf metrics are internal representations used to model data during processing and are based on InfluxDB’s data model. Each metric component includes the measurement name, tags, fields, and timestamp.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/v1/metrics/
estimated_tokens: 229
product: Telegraf Controller
version: v1
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/telegraf/v1/metrics/
date: '2023-09-12T23:33:31-06:00'
lastmod: '2023-09-12T23:33:31-06:00'
---

Telegraf metrics are the internal representation used to model data during
processing.
These metrics are closely based on InfluxDB’s data model and contain
four main components:

* **Measurement name**: Description and namespace for the metric.
* **Tags**: Key/Value string pairs and usually used to identify the
  metric.
* **Fields**: Key/Value pairs that are typed and usually contain the
  metric data.
* **Timestamp**: Date and time associated with the fields.

Telegraf metrics exist only in memory and must be converted to a concrete
representation to be transmitted or viewed.
Telegraf provides [output data formats](/telegraf/v1/data_formats/output/) (also known as *serializers*) for these conversions.
Telegraf’s default serializer converts to [InfluxDB line
protocol](/telegraf/v1/data_formats/output/influx/), which provides a high performance and one-to-one
direct mapping from Telegraf metrics.