How to request your Reddit data export (and use comments.csv)
Last updated: 2026-10-07
Go to reddit.com/settings/data-request while signed in and submit a request. Reddit says it can take up to 30 days and will send you a download link. The archive contains spreadsheet-style CSV files; comments.csv and posts.csv list your comments and posts, including old ones your profile no longer shows.
Why request your data
- A record for yourself. Before deleting anything, it is good to have your own copy.
- Finding old history. Your profile lists stop at around 1,000 items each. The export isn’t limited that way, so it is the most complete list of what you have written. See the 1,000-item limit.
- Knowing what Reddit has about you. Reddit’s help center says the data includes your posts, comments, votes, recent IP addresses, account preferences and the apps you have authorized.
How to request it
- On a computer, sign in to reddit.com.
- Open reddit.com/settings/data-request. (You may also find it in your account settings under privacy options; the exact menu names change from time to time.)
- Follow the instructions on the page and submit the request.
- Wait. Reddit says preparation can take up to 30 days. When it is ready, you get a message in your Reddit inbox with a download link, or an email at your verified address.
- Download the archive and unzip it.
Tip: if you plan to clean up your history, request the export first. You can start on what your profile shows while you wait.
What’s in the download
The archive is a ZIP of CSV files, which open in Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets or any text editor. The two that matter for deleting are:
comments.csv: one row per comment you have written.posts.csv: one row per post you have submitted.
Both have an id column with the item’s Reddit ID, plus columns such as the date, the subreddit and the text or title. You will typically also find other files, for example for votes, saved items, messages and account details. File names and columns can change over time, so check what your own archive contains.
These files contain your private data. Store them somewhere safe, and don’t upload them to services you don’t trust.
How to use comments.csv and posts.csv
Look through them
Open the file in a spreadsheet and sort by date or subreddit. This is the easiest way to see how much you have actually written and where, including comments from years ago.
Open old items by hand
If a row includes a link to the comment, you can open it directly and delete it from there. If it only has an ID, a tool can turn that into the item.
Import them into a tool
Some deletion tools accept the export. They read the IDs, look each one up on Reddit, and add the ones that still exist to the list of things to delete. Items you already deleted are simply skipped. Check that the tool runs locally or that you are comfortable with where the files go.
Things to keep in mind
- The export is a snapshot from when it was prepared. Anything you write afterwards isn’t in it.
- Getting the export doesn’t change anything on Reddit. Nothing is deleted until you delete it.
- Deleting items removes them from Reddit’s pages, not from copies made elsewhere, such as archives, search engines or other people’s records, and not from Reddit’s own internal systems.
FAQ
How long does a Reddit data request take?
Reddit says up to 30 days. It can be faster, so check your Reddit inbox and email.
Can I request it from the mobile app?
Using the website on a computer is the most reliable route, since you then download and unzip a file.
Does requesting my data delete my account?
No. It only gives you a copy.
Why is my export missing something?
It reflects your data at the time it was prepared, and the set of files may differ by account. If something important is missing, ask Reddit through its help center.
Using the export with SafeShred
SafeShred for Reddit, a Chrome extension, can import comments.csv and posts.csv directly. It reads only the IDs, looks them up on reddit.com with your login, and adds items you wrote that still exist, alongside what it finds by walking your profile’s sort orders. The files are read in your browser and never sent to us. You can then preview, filter, back up and delete. Free for up to 50 deletions a day, or $9.99 one-time for unlimited, with a 14-day refund.