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Understanding the Differences Between Spans and Traces in Phoenix UI | Arize AI Community

Phoenix Support

Understanding the Differences Between Spans and Traces in Phoenix UI

·May 28, 2025 11:59 PM

what's the main diff between the Spans and Traces tabs on phoenix UI? they look almost the same.

6 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

RunLLM
APP
·
The main difference is that the Traces tab shows root spans (each representing a full trace or top-level request), while the Spans tab lists all individual spans, including both root and child spans, regardless of their hierarchy. The Traces tab helps you view and select entire traces, whereas the Spans tab is useful for inspecting or searching for specific operations within or across traces. According to TracesTable_spans.graphql.ts and feat(tracing): spans table, the Traces tab filters for root spans only, while the Spans tab displays all spans.Would you like more detail?Sources: - TracesTable_spans.graphql.ts - feat(tracing): spans table
💡 Hint: Mention RunLLM in the thread for followups.
Anthony P.
·
RunLLM is mostly accurate here. The Spans tab offers a slightly more granular view of traced information, as well as a lighter weight query that performs better for users with many thousands of spans
Zhuyi X.
·
while the Spans tab lists all individual spans, including both root and child spans, regardless of their hierarchy
is this true? it looks also only root spans are shown.
Anthony P.
·
There is a toggle
Zhuyi X.
·
ah. Thank you!!
Anthony P.
·
No problem!