How to import a MySQL/MariaDB Database

In order to import a MySQL/MariaDB database file, you will first need to create an empty database. Log in to the MySQL/MariaDB client with the command:

mysql -u root -p

Enter the MySQL/MariaDB root user's password, then create the database:

CREATE DATABASE [database name];

For example, to create a database named my_db the command is:

CREATE DATABASE my_new_db;

Once this is done, log out of the client:

quit;
SSL Certificates
Be secure. Buy an SSL certificate.
  • Secures data transfers
  • Avoids browser warnings
  • Improves your Google ranking

You can now import the database file with the command:

mysql -u [username] -p [new database name] < [.sql dump file name]

For example, to import a .sql dump file named my_db-10-01-2016.sql into the my_new_db database, the command is:

mysql -u root -p my_new_db < my_db-10-01-2016.sql
Cheap domain names – buy yours now
  • Free website protection with SSL Wildcard included
  • Free private registration for greater privacy
  • Free 2 GB email account
Was this article helpful?