---
title: NerdGraph tutorial: Query your data using NRQL
source: https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/nerdgraph/examples/nerdgraph-nrql-tutorial
---
You can use our NerdGraph API to make [NRQL](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/insights/nrql-new-relic-query-language/using-nrql/introduction-nrql) queries.
## Overview of querying with NerdGraph [#overview]
You can run NRQL queries using the [query builder](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/query-your-data/explore-query-data/query-builder/introduction-query-builder) in the UI, or you can use our NerdGraph API. NerdGraph gives you the ability to do some things you can't do from the UI, such as [query across multiple accounts](#cross-account-query), and run [asynchronous queries](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/nerdgraph/examples/async-queries-nrql-tutorial).
## Requirements [#requirements]
- All [user types](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/accounts/accounts-billing/new-relic-one-user-management/user-type) can query data for the accounts they have access to. If you can't query via NerdGraph, it may be because you're lacking [access to that account](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/accounts/accounts-billing/new-relic-one-user-management/user-management-concepts/#understand-concepts).
- All queries are subject to [NRQL query limits](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/query-your-data/nrql-new-relic-query-language/get-started/rate-limits-nrql-queries)
## Basic NRQL queries with NerdGraph [#basic-queries]
To make basic NRQL queries using NerdGraph, there are two main requirements:
- You must pass the NRQL query as a string argument to the NRQL object
- You must include the `results` field in your query
For example, to get a count of all [transaction events](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/insights/insights-data-sources/default-data/apm-default-event-attributes-insights#transaction-event) in the last hour, you'd run the following query, specifying your [New Relic account ID](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/accounts/accounts-billing/account-structure/account-id).
```graphql
{
actor {
account(id: YOUR_ACCOUNT_ID) {
nrql(query: "SELECT count(*) FROM Transaction SINCE 1 HOUR AGO") {
results
}
}
}
}
```
This query example would return a result like this:
```json
{
"data": {
"actor": {
"account": {
"nrql": {
"results": [
{
"count": 1000
}
]
}
}
}
}
}
```
Looking for details on how to write NRQL queries? See [the NRQL docs section](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/insights/nrql-new-relic-query-language/using-nrql/introduction-nrql).
## Cross-account queries [#cross-account-query]
With NerdGraph, you can run a query across more than one account, which you can't do in the query builder. You'll need the [account IDs](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/accounts/accounts-billing/account-structure/account-id) for the accounts you want to query.
Here's an example of running a cross-account NRQL query:
```graphql
{
actor {
nrql(
accounts: [ACCOUNT_ID_1, ACCOUNT_ID_2, ACCOUNT_ID_3]
options: {}
query: "YOUR_NRQL_QUERY"
timeout: 70
) {
results
}
}
}
```
For how to create a dashboard with data from multiple accounts, see [the NerdGraph dashboard tutorial](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/nerdgraph/examples/nerdgraph-dashboards#cross-account).
## Create embeddable charts [#embeddable-charts]
In addition to returning raw data, you can fetch embeddable chart links for the data to use in an application. Please refer to our [public chart docs](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/query-your-data/explore-query-data/dashboards/share-charts-publicly).
## Suggested facets [#suggest-facets]
When using NerdGraph to explore your data, you can use the `suggestedFacets` field to return suggested attributes for use in [faceted NRQL queries](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/insights/nrql-new-relic-query-language/nrql-resources/nrql-syntax-components-functions#sel-facet).
**Rules governing suggested facets**
Here are some of the rules that govern what attributes are suggested:
- **Built-in suggestions.** Each [event type](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/using-new-relic/welcome-new-relic/getting-started/glossary#event) comes with its own set of recommended attributes. These are attributes chosen by New Relic for their importance and popularity.
- **Usage-based suggestions.** Some attribute suggestions are based on the queries that have been frequently used by your account. These suggestions can include custom attributes.
- **Role restriction.** [Restricted users](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/accounts/accounts/roles-permissions/users-roles) do not have access to account-related facet suggestions.
To disable the use of account data for determining suggested queries, [contact Support](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/using-new-relic/welcome-new-relic/getting-started/find-help-or-file-support-ticket#support_tickets).
**Example of returning suggested attributes**
Here's an example of returning suggested attributes for faceting [transaction](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/insights/insights-data-sources/default-data/apm-default-event-attributes-insights#transaction-event) counts. The response suggests the `host` attribute. Faceting by `host` can reveal that one host is servicing more requests than other hosts.
````
{
actor {
account(id: YOUR_ACCOUNT_ID) {
nrql(query: "SELECT count(*) from Transaction TIMESERIES") {
suggestedFacets {
attributes
}
}
}
}
}
```
This NerdGraph query example returns a response similar to this:
```json
{
"data": {
"actor": {
"account": {
"nrql": {
"suggestedFacets": [
{
"attributes": [
"host"
]
}
]
}
}
}
}
}
```
````
## Longer-running queries [#async]
If you need to run longer-running NRQL queries, see [Asynchronous queries](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/nerdgraph/examples/async-queries-nrql-tutorial).
## Other querying options [#other-options]
NerdGraph gives you other querying options, such as:
- [Asynchronous queries](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/nerdgraph/examples/async-queries-nrql-tutorial)
- [Historical data export](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/nerdgraph/examples/nerdgraph-historical-data-export)
- [Create dashboards](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apis/nerdgraph/examples/create-widgets-dashboards-api)