# Filter
A filter name and value pair that is used to return a more specific list of results from a describe operation. Filters can be used to match a set of resources by specific criteria, such as tags, attributes, or IDs.
If you specify multiple filters, the filters are joined with an `AND`, and the request returns only results that match all of the specified filters.
The filters supported by a describe operation are documented with the describe operation. For example:
+ [DescribeAvailabilityZones](API_DescribeAvailabilityZones.md)
+ [DescribeImages](API_DescribeImages.md)
+ [DescribeInstances](API_DescribeInstances.md)
+ [DescribeKeyPairs](API_DescribeKeyPairs.md)
+ [DescribeSecurityGroups](API_DescribeSecurityGroups.md)
+ [DescribeSnapshots](API_DescribeSnapshots.md)
+ [DescribeSubnets](API_DescribeSubnets.md)
+ [DescribeTags](API_DescribeTags.md)
+ [DescribeVolumes](API_DescribeVolumes.md)
+ [DescribeVpcs](API_DescribeVpcs.md)
For more information, see [List and filter using the CLI and API](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AWSEC2/latest/UserGuide/Using_Filtering.html#Filtering_Resources_CLI) in the *Amazon EC2 User Guide*.
## Contents
** Name **
The name of the filter. Filter names are case-sensitive.
Type: String
Required: No
** Value.N **
The filter values. Filter values are case-sensitive. If you specify multiple values for a filter, the values are joined with an `OR`, and the request returns all results that match any of the specified values.
Type: Array of strings
Required: No
## See Also
For more information about using this API in one of the language-specific AWS SDKs, see the following:
+ [AWS SDK for C\$1\$1](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForCpp/ec2-2016-11-15/Filter)
+ [AWS SDK for Java V2](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForJavaV2/ec2-2016-11-15/Filter)
+ [AWS SDK for Ruby V3](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/goto/SdkForRubyV3/ec2-2016-11-15/Filter)