topk Metrics Operator

The topk operator applies a specified aggregation function to the time series that match the query selector, and returns the n time series that have the highest evaluated value over the query time range.  

topk syntax

topk (N, SCALAR_EXPRESSION) [by FIELD [, FIELD, ...]]

Where: 

• N is the number of time series to chart
• SCALAR_EXPRESSION is one these functions:
  • min. Rank matching time series by which had the minimum value of the metric across the time range, and return the top n time series. 
  • max. Rank matching time series by which had the maximum value of the metric across the time range, and return the top n time series.
  • avg. Rank matching time series by the average value of the metric across the time range, and return the top n time series. 
  • count. Rank matching time series by the count of the metric values across the time range, and return the top n time series. 
  • sum. Rank matching time series by the sum of the metric values across the time range, and return the top n time series.
  • pct(n). Return the n time series for which the calculated percentile of the metric values across the time range was lowest, and return the top n. 
  • latest. Rank matching time series by when the most recent data point was received, and return the top n time series. 

topk examples

Top 10 time series by maximum value

This query ranks the time series that match the query selector by the maximum value of the CPU_Sys metric over the time range, and returns the top 10 time series.

metric=cpu_system | topk (10, max)

Top 10 time series based on a calculated value.

This query applies a math expression — (max / avg * 2) — to each time series that matches the query selector. The time series are ranked by the calculated value, and the top 10 time series are returned.

metric=cpu_system |topk (10, max / avg * 2)