You can delete a Trello board in three clicks, but the action is permanent
To delete a board on Trello, open the board you want to remove, click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner, scroll down to "Close board", and confirm. Once you close a board, Trello moves it to a separate "Closed boards" section where you can see it for 14 days. After 14 days, the board is deleted permanently and cannot be recovered — all cards, checklists, attachments, and comments on that board disappear with it.
The permanent deletion happens automatically after two weeks. You do not need to take a second action. If you change your mind during those 14 days, you can reopen the board from the closed section and restore it to active use.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a board on Trello is permanent after 14 days, so read or screenshot any cards you need to keep before closing.
- The three-dot menu in the top right of any board contains the "Close board" option — this is the only way to delete a board you own.
- Closed boards stay visible in a separate section for 14 days, giving you time to reopen one if you deleted it by mistake.
- Only the board owner or a workspace administrator can delete a board; members with lower permissions cannot close it.
- If you are trying to remove a board someone else owns, you must ask the owner to close it or ask a workspace admin for help.
Where the delete option actually is
The delete function is not on the main board view. You need to click the three-dot menu icon (sometimes called a "more" menu) in the top right corner of the board, next to the board name. This opens a dropdown menu with options like "Change background", "Copy board", and other settings.
Scroll down in that menu until you see "Close board". Click it. Trello will ask you to confirm that you want to close the board. Click "Close" again in the confirmation box. The board when ready disappears from your main board list and moves to the closed section.
What happens to your cards when you delete a board
Every card on the board — including all descriptions, checklists, due dates, attachments, and comments — is deleted along with the board. There is no separate archive of the cards. If you need to keep any information from those cards, you must copy it somewhere else before you close the board.
The fastest way to save card information is to take screenshots of each card or export the board data. Trello does not have a built-in export feature for free accounts, but you can use third-party tools like Trello's JSON export (available through the board menu under "Print and export") if your workspace plan supports it. Paid Trello plans include a "Power-Ups" feature that can export board data to CSV or other formats.
How to find and reopen a closed board
After you close a board, it moves to a "Closed boards" section. To see your closed boards, click on your workspace name in the top left, then look for a "Closed boards" link or section. You can also scroll down on your main boards page — closed boards usually appear at the bottom.
Click on any closed board to view it. If you want to bring it back to active use, click the three-dot menu again and select "Reopen board". The board returns to your main board list with all its original cards and data intact. You have 14 days from the close date to do this. After 14 days, the board is permanently deleted and cannot be reopened.
Who can delete a board
Only the person who created the board or a workspace administrator can close a board. If you are a member of a board but not the owner, you will not see the "Close board" option in the three-dot menu. Instead, you will see a "Leave board" option, which removes you from the board but does not delete it.
If you need a board deleted and you are not the owner, contact the board owner directly and ask them to close it. If the owner is no longer active in your workspace, contact your workspace administrator — they have permission to close any board in the workspace.
The difference between closing and archiving
Trello uses the word "close" for boards but "archive" for cards and lists. When you close a board, the entire board and everything on it is scheduled for deletion. When you archive a card or list, it hides from the main view but stays on the board — you can unarchive it anytime and it returns with all its data.
If you want to hide a board without deleting it, you cannot do that in Trello. Your only options are to keep it active or close it. Some people create a "Done" or "Archive" board and move completed cards there instead of closing the board itself.
What to do if you deleted a board by mistake
If you closed a board within the last 14 days, go to your closed boards section, find the board, and click "Reopen board". The board and all its cards return when ready.
If more than 14 days have passed, the board is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Trello does not keep backups of deleted boards. If you have a record of the cards elsewhere — in screenshots, exports, or notes — you can create a new board and manually rebuild it from that information. This is why saving card data before closing a board matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete just one card instead of the whole board?
Yes. Open the card, click the three-dot menu on the card itself, and select "Delete". Individual cards are deleted when ready and cannot be recovered. If you want to keep the card but hide it, archive it instead — archived cards stay on the board but do not show in the main view.
What if I want to delete a board someone else created?
You cannot delete a board you do not own. Ask the board owner to close it, or contact your workspace administrator if the owner is unavailable. Administrators can close any board in the workspace.
Does deleting a board affect other people's accounts?
Yes. When you close a board, it disappears from everyone's board list — not just yours. All members lose access to the board and its cards. This is why it is a good idea to let team members know before you close a shared board.
Can I read my board data before I delete it?
Trello's free plan does not have a built-in read feature. You can take screenshots of cards or use the board's print view to save information. Paid plans include Power-Ups that can export board data to CSV or other formats. Check your plan details or contact Trello support to see what export options are available to you.