docker rm

Delete stopped containers, force-remove a running one with -f, and let --rm clean up one-off containers for you.

>_ Try it: a simulated Linux, right herenothing runs on your computer

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Examples

docker rm job remove a container that finished
docker rm old and one that was stopped
docker rm -f web a running one needs -f
docker ps -a they are gone
docker run --rm alpine echo "gone when done" a one-off container that cleans up after itself
docker ps -a nothing left behind

How it works

docker rm NAME deletes a stopped container: its own files go with it, and its name can be used again. A running one is refused — stop it first, or use -f.

Removing a container does not remove its image or its named volumes: docker images and docker volume ls still show them.

Syntax

docker rm [-f] CONTAINER...

Options

Option	What it does
`CONTAINER...`	one or more containers, by name or ID
`-f`	force: stop it first if it is running
`docker run --rm`	with docker run: delete the container as soon as it exits

Good to know

"The container name is already in use": the old one still exists. docker rm it (or pick another name) before docker run --name again.
Before deleting a database container, check its data lives in a volume: docker inspect NAME shows its mounts.