Quick Answer

# Delete a specific image
docker rmi IMAGE_NAME:TAG

# Delete a specific container
docker rm CONTAINER_ID

# Delete all stopped containers
docker container prune

# Delete all unused images
docker image prune -a

How to Delete a Docker Image

Delete by name and tag

docker rmi nginx:1.25
docker rmi ubuntu:22.04

Delete by image ID

# Get the image ID first
docker images

# Delete by ID (first few chars is enough)
docker rmi a1b2c3

Force delete (even if a container references it)

docker rmi -f IMAGE_ID

Delete multiple images at once

docker rmi image1 image2 image3

Delete all dangling images (<none>)

docker image prune

Delete all unused images

docker image prune -a

How to Delete a Docker Container

Delete a stopped container

# List all containers first
docker ps -a

# Delete by ID or name
docker rm CONTAINER_ID
docker rm my-container

Force delete a running container

docker rm -f CONTAINER_ID

Delete all stopped containers

docker container prune

Delete all containers (running and stopped)

docker rm -f $(docker ps -a -q)

Delete Images and Containers Together

# Remove stopped containers, unused images, unused networks
docker system prune

# Also remove volumes
docker system prune --volumes

# Remove everything unused without confirmation
docker system prune -a -f

Common Errors

unable to delete — image is being used by running container

Stop or remove the container first, then delete the image:

docker rm -f CONTAINER_ID
docker rmi IMAGE_ID

Or force delete the image directly:

docker rmi -f IMAGE_ID

Error: No such image / Error: No such container

The name or ID is wrong. List what exists:

docker images      # list images
docker ps -a       # list all containers

FAQ

Q: How do I delete a Docker image? docker rmi IMAGE_NAME:TAG. Use docker images to find the name and tag first.

Q: How do I delete a Docker container? docker rm CONTAINER_ID for stopped containers. For running containers, use docker rm -f CONTAINER_ID.

Q: How do I delete all Docker images? docker image prune -a removes all unused images. To force-remove everything: docker rmi -f $(docker images -q).

Q: Why can’t I delete a Docker image? A container (running or stopped) is referencing that image. Remove the container first: docker rm -f CONTAINER_ID, then delete the image.

Q: How do I delete all stopped containers? docker container prune removes all containers with status exited.

Q: What is the difference between docker rmi and docker image prune? docker rmi targets a specific image by name or ID. docker image prune bulk-removes dangling or unused images.

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