Connecting a database to Laravel

We’re using Laravel in a very basic form, without any database.

Now I want to set up a database and configure Laravel to use it.

After we’ve configured the database, I’ll show you how to use forms to accept user input and store data in the database, and how to visualize this data.

I’ll also show you how you can use data from the database with dynamic routes.

Why start with SQLite?

The easiest way to use a database is by using SQLite.

SQLite stores the entire database in a single file inside your project. There’s no database server to install, no user to create, no password to remember, no port to configure.

That makes it perfect while you’re learning Laravel or prototyping an app. You can always switch to MySQL or PostgreSQL later, and your migrations and Eloquent code stay the same.

Connect the database to Laravel

Laravel reads the database configuration from the .env file. The values there feed into config/database.php.

In Laravel 13, a fresh app already defaults to SQLite. Your .env looks like this:

DB_CONNECTION=sqlite
# DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
# DB_PORT=3306
# DB_DATABASE=laravel
# DB_USERNAME=root
# DB_PASSWORD=

Leave DB_CONNECTION=sqlite and keep the MySQL lines commented out. SQLite doesn’t need a host, a port, or credentials.

When DB_DATABASE is not set, Laravel uses the default location for the SQLite file, which is database/database.sqlite.

Create the database

Laravel will automatically create the SQLite database in database/database.sqlite the first time you run a migration:

php artisan migrate

This creates the file and runs the default migrations Laravel ships with, like the users table. You’ll see each migration listed in the output as it runs.

You can also create the file manually before migrating:

touch database/database.sqlite

A common error

Be careful with the DB_DATABASE value. If you uncomment or leave DB_DATABASE=laravel while using SQLite, Laravel treats that value as the path to the database file.

Since a file called laravel doesn’t exist, you’ll get an error like this:

Database file at path [laravel] does not exist.

The fix is to remove the DB_DATABASE line entirely, or set it to the full path of the .sqlite file.

Switching to MySQL or PostgreSQL

When you need a real database server, change .env and run your migrations again. Nothing in your application code changes.

For MySQL:

DB_CONNECTION=mysql
DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
DB_PORT=3306
DB_DATABASE=laravel
DB_USERNAME=root
DB_PASSWORD=

For PostgreSQL, set DB_CONNECTION=pgsql, DB_PORT=5432, and fill in the host, database, username and password of your Postgres install.

Then create the database on the server and run:

php artisan migrate

SQLite still works fine in production for many small apps. Pick MySQL or PostgreSQL when you need concurrent writes, managed hosting, or features SQLite doesn’t give you.

Want me to talk about your product? You can sponsor this site.