Delete a board permanently in three steps
To delete a board in Trello, open the board, click the menu icon (three dots) in the top right corner, scroll down to find "Close board", and select it. Trello will ask you to confirm — click "Close board" again. The board moves to your closed boards list, where you can reopen it later if you change your mind. If you want to remove it completely instead of just closing it, you can permanently delete it from that closed list.
The difference matters: a closed board is hidden from your main view but still exists and can be restored. A permanently deleted board cannot be recovered, so Trello makes you close it first as a safety step.
Key Takeaways
- Closing a board hides it from your workspace but keeps it recoverable — you can reopen it anytime from your closed boards list.
- Permanently deleting a board removes it completely and cannot be undone, so close it first to make sure you want to remove it.
- Only board admins can close or delete boards — members without admin rights will not see the close option.
- Closing a board does not delete the cards or lists inside it; they stay attached to the board in case you reopen it later.
How to close a board step by step
Open the board you want to close. In the top right corner, you will see a menu button that looks like three vertical dots (sometimes called a "more" menu). Click it.
A dropdown menu appears with several options. Scroll down past "Copy board", "Print", and other choices until you see "Close board". Click that option. Trello shows a confirmation message asking if you are sure — click "Close board" one more time to confirm.
The board disappears from your main board list. You have now closed it, not deleted it. The board and everything in it still exists.
Where to find and reopen a closed board
Closed boards do not vanish — they move to a separate section. On your Trello home page (the screen showing all your boards), look for a link or section labeled "Closed boards" near the bottom. Click it to see all the boards you have closed.
Your closed board appears in this list with a small icon or label showing it is closed. If you want to bring it back, click the board and look for a "Reopen board" button, usually in the same menu where you found "Close board". Click it, and the board returns to your active board list.
Permanently delete a board if you are certain
If closing is not enough and you want to remove the board completely, you must delete it from the closed boards list. Go to your closed boards section, find the board you want to delete, and click the three-dot menu next to it.
Look for an option labeled "Delete board" or "Permanently delete". Click it. Trello will ask you to confirm one final time, often by typing the board name or clicking a confirmation button. Once you confirm, the board is gone permanently — Trello does not keep a backup, and you cannot recover it.
This is why Trello requires you to close a board first: it gives you time to change your mind before the permanent step.
What happens to cards and lists when you close a board
When you close a board, the cards, lists, and all the information inside stay exactly as they were. Nothing is deleted or lost. If you reopen the board later, everything is still there unchanged.
If you permanently delete the board, all the cards and lists inside it are deleted too. There is no separate "trash" for board contents — they go away with the board.
Why you might not see the close option
The close board option only appears if you are an admin on that board. If you are a regular member or observer, you will not see it in the menu. Only the person who created the board or someone the creator made an admin can close or delete it.
If you need a board closed but do not have admin rights, ask the board admin or the person who created it. They can close it from their account, or they can make you an admin first so you can do it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover a board after I permanently delete it?
No. Once you permanently delete a board from the closed boards list, it cannot be recovered. Trello does not keep deleted boards in a trash folder or backup. This is why the process requires you to close the board first — it gives you a chance to reconsider before the permanent step.
What is the difference between closing and deleting a board?
Closing a board hides it from your main view but keeps it stored in your closed boards list, where you can reopen it anytime. Deleting a board removes it completely and permanently. Close a board if you might want it back; delete it only if you are certain you never need it again.
Do my team members see the board after I close it?
No. Once you close a board, it disappears from the board list for everyone on your workspace. Team members cannot see it unless you reopen it. If you permanently delete it, no one can access it at all.
Can I close a board if I am not the owner?
Only if you are an admin on that board. The board owner or anyone they made an admin can close or delete boards. Regular members cannot. Ask the board admin if you need it closed.
Will closing a board affect my Trello subscription or storage?
No. Closed boards still count toward your workspace storage because the data is still there. Permanently deleting a board will free up storage space, but closing it does not. If you are running out of storage, you need to delete boards, not just close them.