---
title: Delete data | Tiger Data Docs
description: Delete data with DELETE or by dropping chunks from a hypertable in your database using SQL
---

Row deletes use the standard [`DELETE`](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/sql-delete.html) statement against a hypertable. When you need to age out large ranges, dropping chunks or using a retention policy is usually cheaper than massive `DELETE` scans.

## Delete data with DELETE command

To delete data from a table, use the syntax `DELETE FROM ...`. In this example, data is deleted from the table `conditions`, if the row’s `temperature` or `humidity` is below a certain level:

```
DELETE FROM conditions WHERE temperature < 35 OR humidity < 60;
```

Warning

If you delete a lot of data, run [`VACUUM`](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/sql-vacuum.html) or `VACUUM FULL` to reclaim storage from the deleted or obsolete rows.

## Delete data by dropping chunks

TimescaleDB allows you to delete data by age, by dropping chunks from a hypertable. You can do so either manually or by data retention policy.

To learn more, see the [data retention section](/docs/learn/data-lifecycle/data-retention/about-data-retention/index.md).