Learn how Cloudflare Argo Tiered Cache reduces origin load, boosts cache hit ratios, and see how to enable it via dashboard or API. Our Live Support Team is always here to help you.

Understanding Cloudflare Argo Tiered Cache and How to Enable It

Cloudflare Argo Tiered Cache is designed to cut down on unnecessary requests to your origin servers while making websites faster and more cost-efficient. Instead of every Cloudflare data center reaching your server, Tiered Cache creates a hierarchy where only selected data centers talk to the origin. This improves performance, reduces bandwidth usage, and makes managing resources much simpler. Let’s break down how it works and how you can enable it in your account.

How Cloudflare Argo Tiered Cache Works

Cloudflare’s global network has data centers spread across the world, caching content closer to users (Cloudflare Access Device Posture Check). Normally, if content is not cached in a nearby data center, it directly requests the origin. With this cache, things are handled differently.

Here’s the flow:

• Cloudflare divides its network into lower-tiers and upper-tiers.
• A lower-tier (closest to a visitor) checks for content. If missing, it asks the upper-tier.
• If the upper-tier doesn’t have it, then only that upper-tier contacts the origin server.

This hierarchy limits the number of direct origin requests, cuts server load, and concentrates connections so they come from fewer locations instead of hundreds of edge points. The outcome is higher cache hit ratios and reduced strain on your infrastructure.

Turning on Cloudflare Argo Tiered Cache in the Dashboard

You can enable this directly from the dashboard. Follow this path:

1. Log in to your Cloudflare dashboard and select your domain.
2. Go to Caching > Tiered Cache.
3. Toggle the button to Enabled.
4. Under Tiered Cache Topology, choose how your origin connects:
5. Upper Tier Cache – Select between Smart or Generic Global Tiered Cache Topology.
6. Middle Tier Cache – Available when using Smart or Custom Tiered Cache Topology. You can enable Regional Tiered Cache.
7. Custom Tiered Cache – Work with Cloudflare’s support team to design a setup that matches your requirements.
8. You can disable Tiered Cache at any time from the same menu.

Enabling Cloudflare Argo Tiered Cache via API

For those who prefer automation, Cloudflare also allows you to enable Tiered Cache using their API. Use the following cURL example:

curl --request GET \

--url https://api.cloudflare.com/client/v4/zones/zone_identifier/argo/tiered_caching \

--header 'Content-Type: application/json' \

--header 'X-Auth-Email: '

You can also configure Tiered Cache Topology through the API, giving more flexibility to developers and teams who manage multiple domains.

[If needed, Our team is available 24/7 for additional assistance.]

Conclusion

This isn’t just about saving bandwidth, it directly impacts performance and server efficiency. By reducing redundant origin requests, concentrating traffic to fewer data centers, and offering both dashboard and API control, it provides a practical way to optimize your site. Enabling it is straightforward, and once in place, the benefits can be seen almost immediately in speed, resource usage, and cost savings.