> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.meilisearch.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Filtering, sorting, and faceting

> Narrow, order, and categorize search results using filters, sorting rules, and faceted navigation.

Filtering, sorting, and faceting are three complementary tools for refining search results:

* **Filtering** narrows results to documents matching specific criteria (e.g., `genre = "action"`)
* **Sorting** orders results by a field value (e.g., price ascending)
* **Faceting** returns aggregated counts for field values, powering category navigation in your UI

## Filters vs facets

Filters and facets both use `filterableAttributes`, but serve different purposes:

| Feature | Purpose                                    | Example                     |
| ------- | ------------------------------------------ | --------------------------- |
| Filters | Remove non-matching documents from results | Show only in-stock items    |
| Facets  | Show available options with counts         | "Color: Red (12), Blue (8)" |
| Sorting | Order results by a field                   | Cheapest first              |

Facets are filters that also return distribution data. Use them together to build interactive, ecommerce-style navigation.

## How it works

Before you can filter, sort, or facet on an attribute, you must declare it in your index settings. Add attributes to `filterableAttributes` to enable filtering and faceting, or to `sortableAttributes` to enable sorting. Meilisearch then builds optimized internal data structures for those attributes, allowing operations to execute quickly even on large datasets.

At search time, pass [filter expressions](/capabilities/filtering_sorting_faceting/advanced/filter_expression_syntax) in the `filter` parameter, sorting instructions in the `sort` parameter, and request facet distributions using the `facets` parameter. You can combine all three in a single search request.

## Common use cases

* **E-commerce faceted navigation**: Let shoppers narrow products by brand, color, size, and price range while displaying counts for each option.
* **Date-range filtering**: Restrict results to a specific time window, such as articles published in the last 30 days or events happening this week.
* **Price or rating sorting**: Allow users to sort results by price (ascending or descending) or by average customer rating.
* **Location-based filtering**: Combine [geo search](/capabilities/geo_search/overview) filters with category filters to show nearby restaurants, stores, or listings matching specific criteria.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Getting started" href="/capabilities/filtering_sorting_faceting/getting_started">
    Set up filterable attributes and run your first filtered search
  </Card>

  <Card title="Faceted navigation" href="/capabilities/filtering_sorting_faceting/how_to/filter_with_facets">
    Build category navigation with facet counts
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sorting" href="/capabilities/filtering_sorting_faceting/how_to/sort_results">
    Order results by price, date, or any sortable field
  </Card>

  <Card title="Filter syntax" href="/capabilities/filtering_sorting_faceting/advanced/filter_expression_syntax">
    Reference for filter expressions and operators
  </Card>

  <Card title="Foreign filters" href="/capabilities/filtering_sorting_faceting/advanced/filtering_by_joined_data">
    Filter documents by properties of related data across indices
  </Card>

  <Card title="Precise filtering with arrays" href="/capabilities/filtering_sorting_faceting/advanced/precise_filtering_array_items">
    Use AND logic to filter array relationships precisely
  </Card>
</CardGroup>