Quick answer
To delete a card in Trello, open the card and click Archive in the right sidebar. The card is hidden from the board. To permanently delete it, open the archived card and click Delete. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
Steps at a glance
- Click on the card to open it.
- Click Archive in the right sidebar.
- The card is removed from the board.
- To permanently delete it, find it in the board's Archived items and click Delete.
- Confirm the deletion.
Interactive demo
This interactive demo was created free with Arclet in 2 minutes.
Create your own demo →Summary
Trello uses a two-step deletion process: archive first, then permanently delete. Archiving is reversible and keeps the card's history. Permanent deletion removes the card and all its activity, attachments, and comments — this cannot be undone. For most cases, archiving is sufficient.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open the card
Click on the card name in the list to open the card detail view.
Step 2
Archive the card
In the right sidebar of the card, click Archive. The card immediately disappears from the board list.
Step 3
Permanently delete (optional)
To permanently delete, open the board three-dot menu > More > Archived items. Find the card, click Delete, and confirm.
Why this matters
A task was cancelled, a duplicate card was created, or an old item has been sitting in your Done list for months. You want to clean it up, but you're not sure whether to archive it or delete it for good.
Troubleshooting
Archive button is not visible in the card sidebar
You need edit access to archive cards. If you only have commenting or view permissions, the Archive button will not appear.
I archived a card by mistake
Go to the board menu > More > Archived items, find the card, and click Send to board to restore it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I recover a permanently deleted Trello card?
No. Permanently deleted cards cannot be recovered. Use Archive instead if you might need the card again.
Does archiving a card remove it from Trello's search?
Archived cards still appear in Trello search results. Permanently deleted cards do not.
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