How to Delete a MySQL Database

This How.com.vn teaches you how to use your computer's command line to delete a MySQL database. In order to delete a MySQL database, you must have access to an account with delete privileges, such as the "root" account.

Steps

Download Article

Open the MySQL Command Line. In order to delete a database in MySQL, you'll need to use the MySQL command line from your computer's Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) program.
2
Enter the login command. Type in the following, then press ↵ Enter.
```
mysql -u root -p
```
- If you don't have access to the root account, enter your own username in place of "root". This must be an account that has read/write privileges.
Advertisement
Type in the password you use to log into MySQL, then press ↵ Enter.
4
View a list of your databases. Once MySQL opens, type in the following command and press ↵ Enter to see a list of your MySQL databases:
```
SHOW DATABASES;
```
5
Find the name of the database you want to delete. Scroll through the databases until you find the one you want to delete, making sure to note its name as it appears above the database.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If you're using a Mac, database names are case-sensitive. This means that if the database's name has capital letters, you'll need to use the proper capitalization in the "delete" command to make sure you delete the correct database.
6
Delete the database. Type in DROP DATABASE name; where name is your database's name, then press ↵ Enter. For example, to delete a database named "Flowers", you would enter the following command:
```
DROP DATABASE Flowers;
```
You can ensure that the database was deleted by re-entering the SHOW DATABASES; command and scrolling through your available databases. The one you deleted should not be present.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
What does it mean if I get "Error 1010 (HY000): Error dropping database (can't rmdir './xxxxxx', errno: 39)"?
Community Answer
You have to stop the database, go to datadir, remove that database manually and restart the database.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 6 Helpful 8
Question
Why does a dropped database still appear and run in Workbench in the MySQL monitor?
Community Answer
Try "sudo service mysql restart." If your MySQL service is named something else, you may have to change the command accordingly. You can also try "sudo /etc/init.d/mysql restart."
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 8 Helpful 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

If you aren't sure whether or not the database exists, entering DROP DATABASE IF EXISTS name; will prevent an error from displaying if the database isn't registered.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
In the unlikely event that you're deleting a database from a server not using localhost, you'll type the login command as mysql -u root -h host -p where "host" is the IP address of your server.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Not all users have read/write privileges. Make sure you're using an account that allows you to delete databases (e.g., the root account).
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0