How to delete a local (and remote) Git branch - Rocketeers

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How to delete a local (and remote) Git branch
=============================================

### [\#Development](https://rocketee.rs/index.php/development)

Deleting a branch locally uses git branch -d, with a capital -D to force it. Deleting it on the remote is a separate command that people often forget.

 Published by [Mark van Eijk](https://rocketee.rs/index.php/author/mark-van-eijk) on June 23, 2026 · 1 minute read

1. [Delete a local branch](#content-delete-a-local-branch)
2. [Delete the remote branch](#content-delete-the-remote-branch)
3. [Clean up stale remote-tracking branches](#content-clean-up-stale-remote-tracking-branches)

[\#](#content-delete-a-local-branch "Permalink")Delete a local branch
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Use `-d` (lowercase) to delete a branch that has already been merged. Git refuses if the branch has unmerged commits, which protects you from losing work:

 ```
git branch -d feature-login

```

If you are sure you want to discard the branch even though it is not merged, force it with `-D`:

 ```
git branch -D feature-login

```

You cannot delete the branch you are currently on. Switch away first:

 ```
git switch main
git branch -d feature-login

```

[\#](#content-delete-the-remote-branch "Permalink")Delete the remote branch
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Removing the branch locally does not touch the remote. Delete it there explicitly:

 ```
git push origin --delete feature-login

```

An older shorthand does the same thing (note the leading colon):

 ```
git push origin :feature-login

```

[\#](#content-clean-up-stale-remote-tracking-branches "Permalink")Clean up stale remote-tracking branches
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a branch is deleted on the remote, your local clone may still show it under `git branch -r`. Prune those references:

 ```
git fetch --prune

```

To rename a branch instead of deleting it, see [How to rename a Git branch](/git-rename-branch).

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