> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.portainer.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.portainer.io/user/docker/volumes.md).

# Volumes

A volume is a data storage area that can be mounted into a container to provide persistent storage. Unlike bind mounts, volumes are independent of the underlying OS and are fully managed by the Docker Engine.

<figure><img src="/files/ZYOkZmI0rGYjv1k4htOm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

A volume with the **external** flag was created outside of Portainer, which means Portainer has limited knowledge on it compared to one created within Portainer. A label of **unused** means that Portainer cannot see any applications that are using this volume. This label may also appear on **external** resources because of the limited information available.

In Portainer you can view a list of the volumes on your environment, add new volumes and remove existing volumes.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-Mhueyseo0AwRixdBPyB" %}
[Add a new volume](/user/docker/volumes/add.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/-Mhuf39xygebrDMmjnF1" %}
[Remove a volume](/user/docker/volumes/remove.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

If you're running Docker Swarm or the Portainer Agent on your environment, you can also browse existing volumes on that environment.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MhufCbtitf3c6\_6Tzg6" %}
[Browse a volume](/user/docker/volumes/browse.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}