--- title: "PostgreSQL with Database Observability | Grafana Labs" description: "Set up Database Observability for PostgreSQL" --- > For a curated documentation index, see [llms.txt](/llms.txt). For the complete documentation index, see [llms-full.txt](/llms-full.txt). # PostgreSQL with Database Observability Database Observability gives you deep visibility into PostgreSQL query performance. This slide’s path is for a database you run yourself. | | | |----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | **What it monitors** | Query performance, explain plans, wait events, query samples, table schemas | | **How it works** | Grafana Alloy reads from `pg_stat_statements` and `pg_stat_activity` | | **What you see** | Top queries by duration, explain plans with cost highlighting, wait events, query samples | | **This path** | Self-managed PostgreSQL 14 or later | | **Managed services** | Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, Google Cloud SQL, and Azure Database each have a [setup guide](/docs/grafana-cloud/monitor-applications/database-observability/set-up/postgres/) | ## What you’ll get - **Queries Overview dashboard** showing RED metrics for tracked queries - **Explain plans** with visual graphs showing scan types, join strategies, and cost distribution - **Wait events** categorized by I/O, lock, and network waits from `pg_stat_activity` - **Query samples** with individual execution timing. Parameters are redacted by default. - **Table schemas** showing structures, indexes, and constraints ## Before you start A few things to keep in mind: - **PostgreSQL 14 or later** is required. - Load `pg_stat_statements` in `shared_preload_libraries`. Changing that setting requires a restart. Then create the extension in each database you want to monitor. - Query statistics need the `pg_monitor` and `pg_read_all_stats` roles. - Schema details and explain plans also need `USAGE` on each schema and `SELECT` on all tables in that schema, or the `pg_read_all_data` role if you want every object. - Amazon RDS, Amazon Aurora, Google Cloud SQL, and Azure Database use a [separate setup guide](/docs/grafana-cloud/monitor-applications/database-observability/set-up/postgres/), not this path. The path below walks you through each step. * * * Learning path #### PostgreSQL Database Observability Set up Grafana Cloud Database Observability for PostgreSQL to monitor query performance, explain plans, wait events, and query samples. 15 min Intermediate Docs & blog posts #### Open in Grafana Cloud Complete this learning path directly in your Grafana Cloud stack with an interactive learning experience. [Open in Grafana Cloud]() [View on website](/docs/learning-paths/postgresql-db-olly/) [Path completed](/docs/learning-hub/intro-to-db-olly/02-database-observability/10-resources/)