Where Is the MongoDB Data Directory?
MongoDB data files live wherever dbPath points. The package defaults on Linux, macOS, and Windows, plus the config files.
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MongoDB stores data wherever the storage.dbPath setting points. A bare mongod run defaults to /data/db, or C:\data\db when started from C: on Windows. Package installs change that to distro specific paths.
On Ubuntu and Debian the shipped /etc/mongod.conf sets /var/lib/mongodb. RHEL and SUSE use /var/lib/mongo. Homebrew on macOS uses /usr/local/var/mongodb. The Windows MSI installer lets you pick the folder and records it in mongod.cfg.
Where MongoDB stores this, by platform
/var/lib/mongodb
Set by /etc/mongod.conf on apt installs (/var/lib/mongodb) and yum installs (/var/lib/mongo). The mongod user needs read and write access here.
/usr/local/var/mongodb
Homebrew default from /opt/homebrew/etc/mongod.conf on Apple Silicon or /usr/local/etc/mongod.conf on Intel. Intel era guides often show /usr/local/var/mongodb.
C:\data\db
Bare mongod defaults to C:\data\db. The MSI installer default config lives alongside the binaries as <install-dir>\bin\mongod.cfg and usually points at C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\data\db.
Frequently asked questions
how do i find my actual mongodb data folder
Check the storage.dbPath value in your mongod config file (/etc/mongod.conf on Linux package installs). That single setting decides the real location. The command line --dbpath flag overrides it for that run.
can i back up mongodb by copying files
Stop mongod first, then copy the whole dbPath directory with permissions intact. Copying individual collection files while the server runs gives you a corrupt backup. mongodump is the safer route for logical backups.
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