Setting Up MySQL or MariaDB as a Data Source - GrowthBook Documentation

GrowthBook runs SELECT queries against MySQL or MariaDB to compute experiment results. Create a dedicated read-only user, allow network access from GrowthBook, then add the connection in Metrics and Data → Data Sources.

1. Create a read-only user

Grant SELECT only on the database that holds experiment assignment and metric events.

CREATE USER 'growthbook'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'use-a-strong-password';
GRANT SELECT ON your_database.* TO 'growthbook'@'%';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Tighten the host in 'growthbook'@'%' if you can restrict the user to the GrowthBook Cloud IP or your self-hosted instance.

2. Allow network access

If you use GrowthBook Cloud, whitelist 52.70.79.40 in your MySQL or MariaDB firewall, security group, or cloud allowlist. Self-hosted GrowthBook runs in Docker. To reach a database on the host machine, use host.docker.internal as the host instead of localhost.

3. Add MySQL or MariaDB in GrowthBook

Go to Metrics and Data → Data Sources.
Choose MySQL / MariaDB (guided setup if you use a supported event tracker, or manual setup for a custom schema).
Enter the connection fields:

Field	Notes
Host	Public hostname or IP. Cloud cannot reach `localhost`.
Port	Default `3306`.
Database	The database GrowthBook should query.
User / Password	The read-only user from step 1.
Require SSL	Enable if your server requires TLS. You can attach a CA, client cert, and client key.

Save. GrowthBook runs a SELECT 1 query to confirm the connection.

4. Map assignments and metrics

After the connection succeeds, define experiment assignment queries and Fact Tables. MySQL and MariaDB support the Schema Browser, so you can inspect tables and columns while writing SQL.