How to Create a MySQL Database

Many web apps, including WordPress, need a MySQL database to store their data. This guide shows you how to create a database and user in your control panel, and where to find the details your app needs.

Step 1 — Open the Databases area

1. Log in to your account and open your control panel.
2. Go to Websites and select the website the database is for.
3. Open the Databases tab.

Step 2 — Add a database

1. Select Add database.
2. Give your database a name and confirm to create it.
3. Make a note of the database name — your app will need it.

Step 3 — Create or choose a database user

1. When prompted, create a new database user or pick an existing one.
2. If creating a new user, set a username and a strong password, and note them down.
3. By default the user is granted all privileges on the database, which is what most apps need.

Step 4 — Collect your connection details

When you set up your app, its configuration will usually ask for these four pieces of information:

1. Database name — the name you created in Step 2.
2. Database username — the user from Step 3.
3. Database password — the password you set for that user.
4. Database host — this is typically localhost for apps running on the same hosting as the database. If your app is hosted elsewhere, contact us for the correct host.

Enter these into your app's config (for WordPress, that's during the install or in wp-config.php).

Step 5 — Manage your data with phpMyAdmin

To view or edit the data inside your database, you can use phpMyAdmin:

1. Back on the Databases tab, find your database.
2. Select Manage and then phpMyAdmin.
3. phpMyAdmin opens in a new tab, where you can browse tables, run queries and import or export data.

Next steps

If your app can't connect to the database, double-check the name, username, password and host. If it still won't connect, open a support ticket with your domain name and the error message you're seeing.