docker stats: Live Container Resource Usage

Watch live CPU and memory usage per container.

docker stats streams a live view of resource usage per running container. This page covers the one-shot --no-stream mode used in CI and reading memory pressure.

What it does

docker stats shows CPU %, memory usage/limit, network I/O, and block I/O for running containers, refreshing continuously. --no-stream prints a single snapshot, which is what you want in non-interactive CI.

Common usage

Terminal

docker stats
docker stats --no-stream
docker stats --no-stream --format "{{.Name}} {{.MemUsage}} {{.CPUPerc}}"
docker stats web db

Common errors in CI

Plain docker stats never returns in CI because it streams forever and there is no TTY to interrupt it - always add --no-stream in pipelines. If MEM USAGE / LIMIT shows usage approaching the limit, the container is heading for an OOM kill (exit 137); raise --memory or fix the leak. Stopped containers do not appear in stats.

Related guides

docker inspect: Low-Level Container & Image DetailHow docker inspect works: dumping JSON metadata for containers, images, volumes, and networks, with --format… docker top: View Processes in a ContainerHow docker top works: listing the processes running inside a container, ps options, and debugging hung contai… docker ps: List Containers, Filters & FormattingHow docker ps works: listing running and stopped containers, filters, format strings, and reading exit status… Docker "no space left on device" - Causes and FixesWhy Docker builds fail with "no space left on device" in CI, and how to reclaim space, prune layers, and stop…