Where Is the PostgreSQL Data Directory?
PostgreSQL data directory defaults on Windows, macOS and Linux, how to print the live path with SQL, and backup rules.
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PostgreSQL stores databases as a data directory with a version named child holding base, global and pg_wal subfolders. The default parent differs per installer: Program Files on Windows, /var/lib/postgresql on Linux packages, Library/PostgreSQL on Mac EDB builds.
Never copy this tree while the server runs. Use pg_dump for logical backups and file copies only with the service stopped. Run SHOW data_directory inside psql to print the live path instead of trusting installer defaults across versions.
Where PostgreSQL stores this, by platform
C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\[version]\data
The version number changes the leaf folder. Stop the postgresql service before any file copy. Config files postgresql.conf and pg_hba.conf sit inside.
/Library/PostgreSQL/[version]/data
EDB installer default. Homebrew builds use /opt/homebrew/var/postgresql@version instead. Check SHOW data_directory in psql to confirm yours.
/var/lib/postgresql/[version]/main
Debian and Ubuntu pair this with /etc/postgresql for configs. The postgres user must own every file, so preserve permissions on copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my live data directory?
Connect with psql and run SHOW data_directory. That prints the exact path the running server uses, which beats guessing across installers and versions.
Can I copy the data folder as a backup?
Only with the server fully stopped, and restore to the same major version. For routine safety prefer pg_dump, which restores across versions cleanly.
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