# Page through large lists of containers or objects

If you have a large number of containers or objects, you can use the `marker`, `limit`, and `end_marker` parameters to control how many items are returned in a list and where the list starts or ends. If you want to page backwards you can use the `reverse` parameter.

- marker

    When you request a list of containers or objects, Object Storage returns a maximum of 10,000 names for each request. To get subsequent names, you must make another request with the `marker` parameter. Set the `marker` parameter to the name of the last item returned in the previous list. You must URL-encode the `marker` value before you send the HTTP request. Object Storage returns a maximum of 10,000 names starting after the last item returned.

- limit

    To return fewer than 10,000 names, use the `limit` parameter. If the number of names returned equals the specified `limit` (or 10,000 if you omit the `limit` parameter), you can assume there are more names to list. If the number of names in the list is exactly divisible by the `limit` value, the last request has no content.

- end_marker

    Limits the result set to names that are less than the `end_marker` parameter value. You must URL-encode the `end_marker` value before you send the HTTP request.

- reverse

    By default, listings are returned sorted by name, ascending. If you include the `reverse=true` query parameter, the listing will be returned sorted by name, descending.

## To page through a large list of containers

Assume the following list of container names:

    apples
    bananas
    kiwis
    oranges
    pears

1. Use a `limit` of two:

       # curl -i $publicURL/?limit=2 -X GET -H "X-Auth-Token: $token"

       apples
       bananas

   Because two container names are returned, there are more names to list.

2. Make another request with a `marker` parameter set to the name of the last item returned:

       # curl -i $publicURL/?limit=2&amp;marker=bananas -X GET -H \
         “X-Auth-Token: $token"

       kiwis
       oranges

   Again, two items are returned, and there might be more.

3. Make another request with a `marker` of the last item returned:

       # curl -i $publicURL/?limit=2&amp;marker=oranges -X GET -H \"
         X-Auth-Token: $token"

       pears

   You receive a one-item response, which is fewer than the `limit` number of names. This indicates that this is the end of the list.

4. Use the `end_marker` parameter to limit the result set to object names that are less than the `end_marker` parameter value:

       # curl -i $publicURL/?end_marker=oranges -X GET -H \"
        X-Auth-Token: $token"

       apples
       bananas
       kiwis

   You receive a result set of all container names before the `end-marker` value.

5. Use the `reverse` parameter to work from the back of the list:

       # curl -i $publicURL/?reverse=true -X GET -H \"
          X-Auth-Token: $token"

       pears
       oranges
       kiwis
       bananas
       apples

6. You can also combine parameters:

       # curl -i $publicURL/?reverse=true&end_marker=kiwis -X GET -H \"
          X-Auth-Token: $token"

       pears
       oranges

this page last updated: 2026-08-18 20:34:00

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