Create a MySQL Database and User in cPanel (With phpMyAdmin)

Create a MySQL database, add a user with the right privileges and connect your app or WordPress to it, then manage it with phpMyAdmin in cPanel.

• Applies tocPanel hosting plans
• Time needed10 min
• LevelBeginner

Every WordPress site, WooCommerce shop and most PHP applications need a database. In cPanel you create three things: a database, a user, and the link that gives the user permission to use the database.

Create, add a user, link, connect.

Create them with Manage My Databases

1. In cPanel open Databases → Manage My Databases.
2. Under Create New Database type a name (for example shop) and click Create Database. cPanel adds your account prefix, so the final name looks like cpuser_shop.
3. Under MySQL Users → Add New User enter a username and a strong password (use the generator). Save the password somewhere safe.
4. Under Add User To Database choose the user and the database, then click Add.
5. On the privileges screen tick ALL PRIVILEGES and click Make Changes.

Prefer a guided flow? Database Wizard in the same section walks you through the same four steps.

Connect your application

For WordPress, put these four values into wp-config.php:

define( 'DB_NAME', 'cpuser_shop' );
define( 'DB_USER', 'cpuser_shopuser' );
define( 'DB_PASSWORD', 'your-strong-password' );
define( 'DB_HOST', 'localhost' );

Manage data with phpMyAdmin

Open Databases → phpMyAdmin. Select your database in the left column, then use the tabs along the top:

• Export: download a .sql backup of the whole database.
• Import: upload a .sql file. Very large files can exceed the upload limit; ask support to import them directly from the server.
• Search and Browse: find or edit rows, for example resetting a WordPress admin password hash.
• Operations: rename or copy a database (take a backup first).

Common errors

Last reviewed 19 October 2026. Need a hand? Contact DignityHost support or open a ticket from your client area.