Docker rmi command

Docker command reference

docker rmiThe command is used to delete one or more Docker images.

docker rmiThe command is very useful for managing images stored locally, helping users clean up images that are no longer needed and free up storage space.

Syntax

docker rmi [OPTIONS] IMAGE [IMAGE...]

Parameter description:

  • IMAGE: The name or ID of the image to delete. It can be an image name, image ID, or image digest.
  • OPTIONS: Optional parameters used to control the behavior of the command.

Common options:

  • -a, --all-tags: When specifying a repository name, delete all images under that repository.
  • -f, --force: Force delete the image, even if it is being used by a container.
  • --helpPrint help information and exit.
  • --no-prune: Do not delete dangling parent images.
  • -q, --quiet: Quiet mode, do not display detailed information about deleted images.

Delete a single image

docker rmi ubuntu:latest

Delete the image with the latest tag named ubuntu.

Delete multiple images

docker rmi ubuntu:latest nginx:latest

Delete the images tagged latest for ubuntu and nginx.

Delete multiple tags of an image

docker rmi ubuntu:latest ubuntu:18.04

Delete the latest and 18.04 tags of the ubuntu image.

Delete an image along with all its tags

docker rmi -a ubuntu

Delete all images under the ubuntu repository.

Force delete image

docker rmi -f ubuntu:latest

Force delete the image with the latest tag of ubuntu, even if it is in use.

Delete dangling images

docker rmi -d

Delete all dangling images that have no tags.

Quiet mode: delete all images

docker rmi -q $(docker images -q)

Delete all images using quiet mode, without displaying deleted image information.

Delete all images in the specified repository

docker rmi -a myrepo

Delete all images under the myrepo repository.

Delete the image while preserving its child images

docker rmi --no-prune ubuntu:latest

Delete the ubuntu:latest image, but keep its child images.

Example

View existing images:

docker images

Output:

REPOSITORY          TAG                 IMAGE ID            CREATED             SIZE
my_image            latest              d1e1b5a3a8a9        3 days ago          128MB
my_image1           latest              c3a4f5a3a8b8        4 days ago          256MB
my_image2           latest              a9e1d3a7c9b9        5 days ago          512MB

Delete an image:

docker rmi my_image

Output:

Untagged: my_image:latest
Deleted: sha256:d1e1b5a3a8a9...

Delete multiple images:

docker rmi my_image1 my_image2

Output:

Untagged: my_image1:latest
Deleted: sha256:c3a4f5a3a8b8...
Untagged: my_image2:latest
Deleted: sha256:a9e1d3a7c9b9...

Common Scenarios

  • Clean up unused images: Delete images that are no longer needed to free up storage space.
  • Image management: Manage and maintain the local image repository, ensuring that only needed images are kept.
  • Force delete: Force delete images when they are in use by containers (use with caution).

Notes

  • Force-delete an image (using the-foption) may cause containers that depend on the image to fail to run, so use with caution.
  • By default,docker rmiwill also delete unused parent images; if you do not want this, you can use--no-pruneOptions.

docker rmiThe command is a very important tool in Docker image management. With this command, users can delete images that are no longer needed, free up storage space, and keep the local image repository clean. By using appropriate options, the image deletion process can be managed flexibly.

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