How do I connect to my database via SSH?

Connecting from a shell account

1. To connect to your MySQL database via SSH, you’ll first need your database credentials. You’ll also need access to a terminal.
   Mac / Linux: Use the native Terminal
   Windows: Use PuTTY to connect to your hosting server
   Alternatively, you can log in directly to your web server via SSH and run the command there
2. Open your terminal or PuTTY
   Enter:
   

   ssh [email protected]

3. Once connected to the server, run the following command (replace the placeholders with your actual details):
   

   mysql -h hostname -u user -p database

   Where:
   hostname – Your MySQL hostname (e.g., mysql.example.com)
   user – Your database username
   password – Your database user’s password (you will be prompted for this)
   database – Your database name

4. After running the command, you’ll be prompted to enter your database password.
   Once authenticated, your prompt will change to:
   

   mysql>
   

   Note: You cannot use localhost to connect, as the MySQL servers are separate from the website servers.

MariaDB MySQL client on private servers (VPS)

If you are using a VPS, the MySQL client is typically MariaDB. All MySQL commands work the same, the only difference is the welcome message shown when you connect.

Example:

mysql -h hostname -u username -p database

Sample output:

Reading table information for completion of table and column names
You can turn off this feature to get a quicker startup with -A

Welcome to the MariaDB monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 38309156
Server version: 5.7.28-log Source distribution

Copyright (c) 2000, 2018, Oracle, MariaDB Corporation Ab and others.

Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement.

MySQL [database]>

You are now successfully connected to your database and can run MySQL commands as usual.

Troubleshooting SSH MySQL Connections

Note: You must use your server’s hostname, not localhost