# MTLCounterSampleBuffer A specialized memory buffer that stores a GPU’s counter set data. ``` protocol MTLCounterSampleBuffer : NSObjectProtocol ``` ## Overview Create a counter sample buffer by calling an [`MTLDevice`](/documentation/Metal/MTLDevice) instance’s [`makeCounterSampleBuffer(descriptor:)`](/documentation/Metal/MTLDevice/makeCounterSampleBuffer(descriptor:)) method. See [Creating a counter sample buffer to store a GPU’s counter data during a pass](/documentation/Metal/creating-a-counter-sample-buffer-to-store-a-gpus-counter-data-during-a-pass). You can store a GPU device’s counter set data only with an [`MTLCounterSampleBuffer`](/documentation/Metal/MTLCounterSampleBuffer) instance that you create from the same device. See [Sampling GPU data into counter sample buffers](/documentation/Metal/sampling-gpu-data-into-counter-sample-buffers) for information about storing counter sample data in a counter sample buffer. ## Topics ### Resolving the counter sample buffer’s data [`resolveCounterRange(_:)`](/documentation/Metal/MTLCounterSampleBuffer/resolveCounterRange(_:)) Transforms samples of a GPU’s counter set from the driver’s internal format to a standard Metal data structure. [`resolveCounterRange:`](/documentation/Metal/MTLCounterSampleBuffer/resolveCounterRange:) Transforms samples of a GPU’s counter set from the driver’s internal format to a standard Metal data structure. ### Inspecting the counter sample buffer’s configuration [`label`](/documentation/Metal/MTLCounterSampleBuffer/label) A string that identifies the counter sample buffer. [`device`](/documentation/Metal/MTLCounterSampleBuffer/device) The GPU device instance that owns the counter sample buffer. [`sampleCount`](/documentation/Metal/MTLCounterSampleBuffer/sampleCount) The number of samples in the buffer. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)