# Filter vs Query in ES **URL:** \ **Category:** Elasticsearch\ **Created:** [May 17, 2013, 8:42am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/filter-vs-query-in-es/12007 "2013-05-17T08:42:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chetana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dbc845/32.png) [@Chetana](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Chetana)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 8:42am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/filter-vs-query-in-es/12007/1 "2013-05-17T08:42:42Z")
I am a bit confused betweenFilter(FilterBuilders) and Query(QueryBuilders). Whatever possible with FilterBuilder is also achievable using QueryBuilders. Is there any case which can only be possible with Filter? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). ---
**Author:** ![aash\_dhariya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c37758/32.png) [@aash\_dhariya](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/aash_dhariya)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 8:53am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/filter-vs-query-in-es/12007/2 "2013-05-17T08:53:17Z")
I think the primary difference between query and filter is that filter is cacheable ([Elasticsearch Platform — Find real-time answers at scale | Elastic](http://www.elasticsearch.org/guide/reference/query-dsl/)). Also, another major difference, is that filter is not applied on facets, while query is. On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 2:12 PM, Chetana [ambha.career@gmail.com](mailto:ambha.career@gmail.com) wrote: > I am a bit confused betweenFilter(FilterBuilders) and > Query(QueryBuilders). Whatever possible with FilterBuilder is also > achievable using QueryBuilders. > Is there any case which can only be possible with Filter? > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "elasticsearch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). -- Thanks, Aash -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). ---
**Author:** ![dadoonet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/dadoonet/32/137187_2.png) [@dadoonet](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/dadoonet)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 8:55am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/filter-vs-query-in-es/12007/3 "2013-05-17T08:55:43Z")
Also note that filters only "filter" docs and are not taken into account when computing score. -- David 😉 Twitter : @dadoonet / @elasticsearchfr / @scrutmydocs Le 17 mai 2013 à 10:53, aash dhariya [aash.discover@gmail.com](mailto:aash.discover@gmail.com) a écrit : > I think the primary difference between query and filter is that filter is cacheable ([Elasticsearch Platform — Find real-time answers at scale | Elastic](http://www.elasticsearch.org/guide/reference/query-dsl/)). Also, another major difference, is that filter is not applied on facets, while query is. > > On Fri, May 17, 2013 at 2:12 PM, Chetana [ambha.career@gmail.com](mailto:ambha.career@gmail.com) wrote: > > > ## I am a bit confused betweenFilter(FilterBuilders) and Query(QueryBuilders). Whatever possible with FilterBuilder is also achievable using QueryBuilders. Is there any case which can only be possible with Filter? > > > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. > > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). > > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). > > ## -- Thanks, Aash > > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). > For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). ---
**Author:** ![Clinton\_Gormley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Clinton\_Gormley](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/Clinton_Gormley)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 11:19am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/filter-vs-query-in-es/12007/4 "2013-05-17T11:19:44Z")
On 17 May 2013 10:53, aash dhariya [aash.discover@gmail.com](mailto:aash.discover@gmail.com) wrote: > Also, another major difference, is that filter is not applied on facets, > while query is. To be clear: filters within the query ARE taken into account by facets, but filters specified at the top level of the search request are only applied after facets, eg: ``` query: { filtered: { query: { SOME QUERY }, filter: { SOME FILTER; TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY FACETS } } }, filter: { SOME FILTER; ONLY APPLIED AFTER FACETS } ``` In general, the top-level filter parameter should only be used for this purpose. Using it as a general filter will usually result in slower performance -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "elasticsearch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:elasticsearch+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com). For more options, visit [https://groups.google.com/groups/opt\_out](https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out). ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/filter-vs-query-in-es/12007/5 "2017-07-06T02:36:06Z")