To remove one stopped Docker container, run docker rm <container>. For a running container, stop it first with docker stop <container>, then remove it. Use docker rm -f <container> only when you intend to force-stop the process. To clear every stopped container, use docker container prune.
Remove one stopped container
Use the container’s name or ID:
docker rm my-containerThe shorter docker rm command and the full docker container rm form remove one or more specified containers. Docker documents the command as “Remove one or more containers” in its container removal reference.
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If the container is running, Docker will not remove it with this command unless you force removal. The orderly option is to stop it first.
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Stop a running container before removing it
-
Stop the container:
docker stop my-container. -
Remove it:
docker rm my-container.
Docker sends the configured stop signal—SIGTERM by default—and then sends SIGKILL if the main process has not exited by the end of the grace period. The default timeout, when none is configured, is 10 seconds for Linux containers and 30 seconds for Windows containers; settings and platform can affect behavior. See Docker’s container stop reference.
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Force-remove a running container
When an orderly stop is not suitable, run:
docker rm -f my-containerForce removal sends SIGKILL to the container’s main process rather than allowing the normal stop grace period. Use it only when that abrupt termination is acceptable.
Remove all stopped containers
To remove every stopped container, run:
docker container pruneDocker asks for confirmation by default. Add --force to skip the prompt, or use a filter to narrow which stopped containers qualify. For example, this targets stopped containers older than 24 hours:
docker container prune --filter "until=24h"Check that a filter matches your intended cleanup before proceeding. Docker documents the command, confirmation behavior, and supported filters in its container prune reference.
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Know what happens to container data and volumes
Removing a container deletes its writable container filesystem. If you need data to persist beyond the container’s lifetime, it should be stored in a volume or otherwise kept outside that filesystem.
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Anonymous volumes:
docker rm -v my-containerremoves anonymous volumes associated with the container. Without-v, those volumes are not removed by this command. -
Named volumes:
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Volumes in use: A volume that is still in use cannot be removed with
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Docker’s container rm reference describes the volume option; the volume rm reference explains removal of volumes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Remove containers created by Docker Compose
For stopped service containers in a Compose project, use:
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docker compose rmAdd -s if Compose should stop the service containers before removing them. Add -v if you also intend to remove associated anonymous volumes. Compose removal preserves anonymous volumes unless -v is supplied; data held only in the removed container filesystem is lost. Read the Compose rm reference before removing volumes.
Choose container cleanup, not broader system pruning
docker system prune is not a container-only cleanup command. It removes unused containers and can also remove other unused Docker resources, including networks, images, and build cache. Volumes are excluded by default; adding --volumes includes anonymous volume pruning. Use docker container prune when the goal is specifically to remove stopped containers. See Docker’s system prune reference.
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For a container that should not remain after its process finishes, add --rm when starting it:
docker run --rm ...Docker removes the container after it exits and removes associated anonymous volumes; named volumes are retained. This option is useful for temporary or one-off runs where you do not need to inspect or restart the stopped container later. See the container run reference.
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