> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/choose-n8ns-database.md).

# Choose n8n's database

By default, n8n uses SQLite to save credentials, past executions, and workflows. n8n also supports PostgresDB (only [actively maintained versions](https://www.postgresql.org/support/versioning/)).

## Database type by n8n installation <a href="#database-type-by-n8n-installation" id="database-type-by-n8n-installation"></a>

The database type used varies depending on your n8n installation:

### Self-hosted n8n <a href="#self-hosted-n8n" id="self-hosted-n8n"></a>

By default, self-hosted installations use **SQLite**. You can optionally configure PostgreSQL by setting the appropriate environment variables (see [PostgresDB configuration](#postgresdb)).

### n8n Cloud <a href="#n8n-cloud" id="n8n-cloud"></a>

n8n Cloud installations use different databases depending on your plan tier:

* **SQLite**: Trial, Starter, and Pro plans, as well as legacy Enterprise plans
* **PostgreSQL**: Enterprise Scaling plans only

## Shared settings <a href="#shared-settings" id="shared-settings"></a>

The following environment variables get used by all databases:

* `DB_TABLE_PREFIX` (default: -) - Prefix for table names

## PostgresDB <a href="#postgresdb" id="postgresdb"></a>

To use PostgresDB as the database, you can provide the following environment variables:

* `DB_TYPE=postgresdb`
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE` (default: 'n8n')
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST` (default: 'localhost')
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT` (default: 5432)
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_USER` (default: 'postgres')
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD` (default: empty)
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_SCHEMA` (default: 'public')
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_SSL_CA` (default: undefined): Path to the server's CA certificate used to validate the connection (opportunistic encryption isn't supported)
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_SSL_CERT` (default: undefined): Path to the client's TLS certificate
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_SSL_KEY` (default: undefined): Path to the client's private key corresponding to the certificate
* `DB_POSTGRESDB_SSL_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED` (default: true): If TLS connections that fail validation should be rejected

```bash
export DB_TYPE=postgresdb
export DB_POSTGRESDB_DATABASE=n8n
export DB_POSTGRESDB_HOST=postgresdb
export DB_POSTGRESDB_PORT=5432
export DB_POSTGRESDB_USER=n8n
export DB_POSTGRESDB_PASSWORD=n8n
export DB_POSTGRESDB_SCHEMA=n8n

# optional: <a href="#optional" id="optional"></a>
export DB_POSTGRESDB_SSL_CA_FILE=$(pwd)/ca.crt
export DB_POSTGRESDB_SSL_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED=false

n8n start
```

### Required permissions <a href="#required-permissions" id="required-permissions"></a>

n8n needs to create and modify the schemas of the tables it uses.

Recommended permissions:

```sql
CREATE DATABASE n8n-db;
CREATE USER n8n-user WITH PASSWORD 'random-password';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON DATABASE n8n-db TO n8n-user;
```

### TLS <a href="#tls" id="tls"></a>

You can choose between these configurations:

* Not declaring (default): Connect with `SSL=off`
* Declaring only the CA and unauthorized flag: Connect with `SSL=on` and verify the server's signature
* Declaring `_{CERT,KEY}` and the above: Use the certificate and key for client TLS authentication

## SQLite <a href="#sqlite" id="sqlite"></a>

This is the default database that gets used if nothing is defined.

The database file is located at: `~/.n8n/database.sqlite`


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/choose-n8ns-database.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.