---
title: "What are Database User Privileges?"
description: "Databases are created and maintained using MySQL. Another MySQL function is to verify credentials and permissions. First, to initiate a connection to a database, MySQL must authenticate a database..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/what-are-database-user-privileges/
date: 2018-10-24
modified: 2021-08-16
author: "InMotion Hosting Contributor"
categories: ["Website", "Working with Databases"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# What are Database User Privileges?

[**Databases**](/support/website/create-database/) are created and maintained using *MySQL*. Another MySQL function is to verify credentials and permissions.

First, to initiate a [connection to a database](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/setting-up-a-remote-mysql-connection-in-cpanel/), MySQL must authenticate a **database user** and password combination (as well as the [hostname from which the request was made](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/connection-access.html)).

Once the connection is authorized, commands to manipulate a particular database are validated. During validation, [MySQL checks that privileges have been granted](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/request-access.html) to the specified **database** for the *database user*.

The database user privileges need to be granted before MySQL will allow that user to execute the request on the database. MySQL maintains these privileges in its own database table `mysql`.

## Common Privileges

The table below displays the most common **MySQL user privileges** that can be *assigned to a database user*.

| MySQL Privileges |
| --- |
| ALTER | DELETE | LOCK TABLES |
| ALTER ROUTINE | DROP | REFERENCES |
| CREATE | EVENT | SELECT |
| CREATE ROUTINE | EXECUTE | SHOW VIEW |
| CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES | INDEX | TRIGGER |
| CREATE VIEW | INSERT | UPDATE |

To learn more about **Database User Privileges** check out the [official MySQL documentation here](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/privileges-provided.html). You can also learn how to create a [database user and assign it privileges from the command line](/support/server/databases/create-a-mysql-database/).