---
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: 270
product: Telegraf
version: v1
---

# Telegraf metrics

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.