---
title: "Create a volume snapshot"
description: "Back up a Block Storage volume with a snapshot so you can create a new volume from this point later."
content_type: "how-to"
product: "volumes"
platform: "MyAccount"
url: "/myaccount/volumes/how-to/create-a-volume-snapshot/"
topic: ["protect"]
relationships: {"requires":["/myaccount/volumes/how-to/create-a-volume/"]}
---

# Create a volume snapshot

A snapshot captures a volume at a point in time. Take one before a change you are not sure
about, so you keep this exact point and can create a new volume from it later. A
snapshot of an encrypted volume is encrypted; a snapshot of an unencrypted volume is not.

## Before you begin

- A volume that exists in your account. See [Create a volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/create-a-volume/).

## Take the snapshot

1. Open **Storage > Volumes**.
2. Select the volume, open its **Actions** menu, and choose **Create Snapshot**.
3. Enter a snapshot name.
4. Click **Create Snapshot**.

The snapshot appears on the volume's **Snapshots** tab once it finishes.

## Create a new volume from the snapshot

To make a new volume from a saved point, open the volume's **Snapshots** tab, open the snapshot's
own **Actions** menu, and choose **Create Volume**. The option is ready once the snapshot reads
**Complete**. You name the new volume and choose its size. Choose encryption again at creation if
you want it on the new volume.

You can now create a new volume from the snapshot whenever you need this point back. For snapshots
on a schedule, see [Schedule volume
snapshots](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/schedule-volume-snapshots/). To upgrade the volume later, first
delete the snapshot or create a new volume from it, as in [Upgrade a
volume](/myaccount/volumes/how-to/upgrade-a-volume/). For how snapshots are kept, locked, and
charged, see [How snapshots work](/myaccount/snapshots/concepts/how-snapshots-work/).