Deleting a Trello board removes it permanently along with all its cards and lists
When you delete a board in Trello, the entire board disappears — every card, list, comment, and attachment goes with it. Trello does not send the board to a trash folder first; deletion is immediate and permanent. You cannot undo it after the fact, so make sure you actually want the board gone before you confirm.
Only the board owner or someone with admin permissions can delete a board. If you are a member but not an admin, you will not see a delete option. The person who created the board usually has these permissions by default, but they can grant admin access to other members if needed.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a board in Trello is permanent and cannot be undone, so confirm you no longer need any of the cards or information on it.
- Only board owners and members with admin permissions can delete a board; regular members cannot.
- The delete option lives in the board menu, accessed through the three-dot icon in the top right of the board.
- If you want to keep the information but stop using the board, you can close it instead of deleting it.
How to delete a board from the board menu
Open the board you want to delete. In the top right corner, you will see a three-dot menu icon (sometimes called a "more" menu). Click it to open a dropdown list of board options.
Scroll down in that menu until you see "Close board" or "More" — the exact wording depends on your Trello plan. Click "More" if you see it, which will reveal additional options including "Delete board". Click "Delete board".
Trello will ask you to confirm. You will see a message saying something like "Are you sure?" with a button to confirm the deletion. Click the confirmation button. The board is now gone.
The difference between closing and deleting a board
Trello offers two ways to get rid of a board you no longer use: closing it or deleting it. Closing a board hides it from your workspace but keeps all the information intact. You can reopen a closed board later if you change your mind. Deleting a board removes everything permanently with no way to recover it.
If you think you might need the board again someday — even if it is unlikely — close it instead. Closing takes the same steps as deleting but stops at the "Close board" option instead of going to "Delete board". A closed board takes up no space in your active workspace, so there is no downside to keeping it closed rather than deleted.
What happens to cards and attachments when you delete
Every card on the board disappears when you delete it. This includes all the text in each card, checklists, due dates, comments, and any files or images attached to the cards. If those cards contain information you need elsewhere — a project plan, a list of contacts, notes from a meeting — you need to save that information before you delete the board.
The fastest way to preserve the information is to export the board before deleting it. In the board menu (the same three-dot icon), look for an option like "Export as JSON" or "Print and export". This creates a file you can download and save to your computer. You can also take screenshots of important cards or copy text manually if you only need a few pieces of information.
Deleting a board you do not own
If someone else created the board and you are a member but not an admin, you cannot delete it. You can only leave the board. To leave, click the three-dot menu and select "Leave board". This removes you from the board but does not affect the board itself or other members.
If you need the board deleted and you are not the owner, contact the person who created it or ask a member with admin permissions. They can either delete the board themselves or grant you admin access so you can do it. Admin permissions are set in the board menu under "Members" or "Board settings" depending on your Trello plan.
Recovering a deleted board
Trello does not offer a way to recover a deleted board through the app or your account settings. Once it is gone, it is gone. Some Trello plans (particularly paid plans) may have additional recovery options through Trello support, but this is not may provide. If you deleted a board by mistake, contact Trello support immediately and explain what happened — they may be able to help depending on how long ago the deletion occurred and what plan you are on.
This is why exporting or taking screenshots before deletion is important. If you have a backup file, you can manually recreate the board and add the cards back. It takes time, but it is better than losing the information entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a board if I am not the owner?
No, only the board owner or someone with admin permissions can delete a board. If you are a regular member, you can leave the board but not delete it. Ask the owner or an admin to delete it if you need it gone.
What if I deleted a board by accident?
Contact Trello support right away and explain what happened. They may be able to recover it depending on your plan and how recently the deletion occurred. In the meantime, check if you have an exported backup of the board that you can use to recreate it manually.
Does closing a board delete the cards?
No. Closing a board hides it from your workspace but keeps all cards and information intact. You can reopen the board anytime and everything will still be there. Closing is safer than deleting if you are unsure whether you will need the board again.
Can other people see a board I deleted?
No. Once you delete a board, it disappears for everyone who was a member of it. They cannot access it, recover it, or see that it ever existed in their workspace.
How do I export a board before deleting it?
Open the board, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and look for "Export" or "Print and export". Select the export format (usually JSON or CSV), download the file, and save it to your computer. You can then delete the board safely knowing you have a backup.