Skip to main content
Open Metrics to query the time series stored in metrics streams with PromQL. A query runs in a tab; tabs can stand side by side, and Share copies a link to the query, as on Logs. The address bar holds the statement that last ran, so a copy of it shares the query.

​
Find a metric

Open the Metrics browser beside the editor, or Search metrics, and type part of a name. Each metric shows its type (counter, histogram, or gauge) and how many labels and fields it has. Select a metric to put it into the query and run it. An empty workspace offers Connect a metrics source; see Datasource. A metric that has not been seen within the retention of its stream leaves the list.

​
Write the query

The editor has two modes:
  • Code: write PromQL directly. Common PromQL functions lists the usual functions; the PromQL support matrix lists all that are implemented.
  • Builder: choose the Metric, Add label filter for each label to match, a Function (Raw metric, Rate, Instant rate, or Increase), an Aggregation (Sum, Average, Maximum, or Minimum), and the Range. The PromQL it builds is shown below. An expression that the builder cannot represent, such as a function with extra parameters, stays as it is until a builder field is changed.
Press Run. Options set how the query runs: Add to dashboard opens a new dashboard with the query as its first panel. Clear query empties the editor. When a valid query finds nothing, Expand time range 4× and Clear filters and retry help before the expression is changed.

​
Read the chart

  • Drag across the plot to zoom into a time range, drag the X-axis to pan, and double-click to zoom out. Reset time range returns to the range before the chart was touched.
  • Choose the Draw style (line, bar, or points) and Stack (Off, Normal, or Percent; stacking needs two series or more).
  • Use the legend to isolate or compare series.
  • With exemplars on, select a diamond to see its trace, and Open trace to inspect the request behind the point.
The zoomed range goes along when moving on to traces or logs.

​
Analyze the result

Graph, Table, and Query inspector show the result as a chart, as raw rows, and as the query that ran. The panels around the result explain the data: The metric cardinality limits of the instance refuse new series beyond a limit, so check Cardinality before adding a label with many values.

​
Correlate a metric spike

Select the window of the spike, keep the service and environment labels, then open the related traces or logs. MoleSignal carries the selected range into the next signal. See Cross-signal correlation.

​
Permissions

Listing metrics requires streams.read. Running PromQL requires streams.query. Add to dashboard requires dashboards.create.

Querying

SQL, PromQL, and asynchronous jobs.

Traces

Move from latency or error-rate changes to individual requests.
Last modified on October 26, 2026