MySQL is the database software WordPress traditionally relies on to store nearly everything about your site — posts, pages, comments, users, and settings — organized into structured tables.
It’s one of the most widely used database systems in the world, not just in WordPress but across countless other web applications too.
How WordPress Uses MySQL
Whenever you visit a WordPress page, the software queries MySQL to pull the relevant content, then combines it with your theme’s templates to display the final page in your browser.
Your WordPress installation connects to this database using credentials stored in a configuration file, which is why database details are so important to keep during migrations or backups.
Managing Your Database
Most hosting providers include a tool like phpMyAdmin for viewing and managing your database directly, though you’ll rarely need to touch it unless you’re troubleshooting an advanced issue or performing manual maintenance a developer recommends.