> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.postgresql.tw/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.postgresql.tw/15/server-administration/managing-databases/destroying-a-database.md).

# 23.5. Destroying a Database

Databases are destroyed with the command [DROP DATABASE](/15/reference/sql-commands/drop-database.md):

```
DROP DATABASE name;
```

Only the owner of the database, or a superuser, can drop a database. Dropping a database removes all objects that were contained within the database. The destruction of a database cannot be undone.

You cannot execute the `DROP DATABASE` command while connected to the victim database. You can, however, be connected to any other database, including the `template1` database. `template1` would be the only option for dropping the last user database of a given cluster.

For convenience, there is also a shell program to drop databases, [dropdb](/15/reference/client-applications/dropdb.md):

```
dropdb dbname
```

(Unlike `createdb`, it is not the default action to drop the database with the current user name.)\\


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