Thanks to @Michał Sznurawa for pointing me in the right direction - from the Mac terminal, using psql -l, rather than psql \l does the trick.
Atlassian
atlassian.com › data › admin › how to list databases and tables in postgresql using psql
How to List databases and tables in PostgreSQL using psql
Each database is stored as a separate set of files in its own directory within the server’s data directory. To view all of the defined databases on the server you can use the \list meta-command or its shortcut \l.
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Thanks to @Michał Sznurawa for pointing me in the right direction - from the Mac terminal, using psql -l, rather than psql \l does the trick.
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This lists all databases:
SELECT datname FROM pg_database;
These list all databases in detail:
\list
\l
These list all databases in more detail:
\list+
\l+
Get a list of available PostgreSQL databases
I can get a list of available PostgreSQL databases in Terminal by using: psql -h 127.0.0.1 -l Can I do that in Xojo without using a shell? More on forum.xojo.com
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December 10, 2022Error in psql when trying to list databases
Your best bet is to use the same psql version as the one in the server distribution. You can run psql -E and then \l to check what is the actual query being run. More on reddit.com
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December 25, 2024show tables in current database using psql
Maybe those tables aren't in the search path? You can use \dn to show all schemas (=namespaces). Then you can e.g. use \dt some_schema.* to show the tables in one specific schema. More on reddit.com
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June 15, 2024Restrict users ability to see other DB's
Please define what you mean by "see"? List of databases shouldn't return other dbs? First ask yourself - why do you care? Knowing that db is named "whatever_whenever" doesn't let you do anything, unless you mismanaged privileges to connect/read/write to other dbs. So, you could revoke privileges from pg_database table, to hide other databases, but: it's "security by obscurity" - definitely not something one should want it's not a supported operation, and doing this can lead to problems. More on reddit.com
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July 31, 2023Videos
How to connect PostgreSQL database, List schemas and ...
01:19
How to List Postgres Databases Using psql - YouTube
How to show list of database connected in PostgreSQL using PSQL ...
02:04
How To List or Show Databases in PostgreSQL - YouTube
List Databases in PostgreSQL
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2081
Please note the following commands:
\listor\l: list all databases\c <db name>: connect to a certain database\dt: list all tables in the current database using yoursearch_path\dt *.: list all tables in the current database regardless yoursearch_path
You will never see tables in other databases, these tables aren't visible. You have to connect to the correct database to see its tables (and other objects).
To switch databases:
\connect database_name or \c database_name
See the manual about psql.
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This lists databases:
SELECT datname FROM pg_database
WHERE datistemplate = false;
This lists tables in the current database
SELECT table_schema,table_name
FROM information_schema.tables
ORDER BY table_schema,table_name;
Neon
neon.com › postgresql › administration › show-databases
PostgreSQL Show Databases
Second, show all the databases in the current server using the \l command: ... List of databases Name | Owner | Encoding | Locale Provider | Collate | Ctype | ICU Locale | ICU Rules | Access privileges -----------+----------+----------+----...
DB Vis
dbvis.com › thetable › postgres-list-databases
How To List Databases in PostgreSQL: A Complete Guide
February 5, 2025 - In detail, psql provides the l command to get the list of databases in a PostgreSQL server.
Xojo Programming Forum
forum.xojo.com › targets › macos
Get a list of available PostgreSQL databases - macOS - Xojo Programming Forum
December 10, 2022 - I can get a list of available PostgreSQL databases in Terminal by using: psql -h 127.0.0.1 -l Can I do that in Xojo without using a shell?
Devart
devart.com › dbforge › postgresql › studio › how-to-list-all-databases-in-postgresql.html
How to List all Databases in PostgreSQL [Explained]
On executing either \l or \list, you will get a list of all available databases in the PostgreSQL server, along with their names, owners, corresponding encodings, collation order, character classification, and permissions.
Dataedo
dataedo.com › kb › query › postgresql › list-databases
List databases on PostgreSQL instance - PostgreSQL Data Dictionary Queries
November 7, 2018 - T-SQL query listing databases on PostgresSQL instance.
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › postgresql › postgresql-show-databases
PostgreSQL - Show Databases - GeeksforGeeks
2 weeks ago - The SHOW DATABASES command is used to retrieve and display all databases accessible to the current user in a DBMS. It simplifies database management by avoiding direct queries on system tables.
Medium
medium.com › the-table-sql-and-devtalk › three-easy-ways-to-list-databases-in-postgresql-07d51775d8ae
Three Easy Ways to List Databases in PostgreSQL | The Table — Databases and SQL
June 13, 2024 - Listing databases in PostgreSQL can be done via command-line, SQL queries, or database clients. Each method has its advantages depending on your needs. For more details, check out the article How to List Databases in Postgres Using psql and Other Techniques.
TigerData
tigerdata.com › learn › postgres-cheat-sheet
Postgres Cheat Sheet | Tiger Data
August 26, 2025 - // List all databases using \l+ with more details (including description, tablespace & DB size) (psql)
Kinsta®
kinsta.com › home › resource center › blog › postgresql › a hands-on guide to listing databases and tables in postgres
A Hands-On Guide to Listing Databases and Tables in Postgres
February 18, 2026 - To list the databases in your Postgres server using psql, log in to your Postgres environment in SQL Shell.
PostgreSQL
postgresql.org › docs › current › app-psql.html
PostgreSQL: Documentation: 18: psql
May 14, 2026 - List all available databases, then exit. Other non-connection options are ignored. This is similar to the meta-command \list. When this option is used, psql will connect to the database postgres, unless a different database is named on the command line (option -d or non-option argument, possibly ...
StrongDM
strongdm.com › blog › security
How to List All Databases in PostgreSQL (psql and More)
June 25, 2025 - Having a complete view of all your databases in PostgreSQL is essential for effective database management. This guide explores six proven methods you can use to quickly list all of your databases.
Medium
medium.com › @ajaymaurya73130 › postgresql-show-database-best-ways-to-list-databases-21d9a78a5af6
PostgreSQL Show Database: Best Ways to List Databases | by Ajaymaurya | Medium
June 25, 2025 - In this guide, we’ll walk through the best ways to list PostgreSQL databases, offer helpful visuals, and share a few bonus tips for smooth navigation. PostgreSQL doesn’t use the SHOW DATABASES; SQL command like MySQL.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/postgresql › error in psql when trying to list databases
r/PostgreSQL on Reddit: Error in psql when trying to list databases
December 25, 2024 -
FYI, I am just switching my workflow to terminal based setup, so im still trying to figure things out
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Your best bet is to use the same psql version as the one in the server distribution. You can run psql -E and then \l to check what is the actual query being run.
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PostgreSQL
postgresql.org
PostgreSQL: The world's most advanced open source database
PostgreSQL is a powerful, open source object-relational database system with over 35 years of active development that has earned it a strong reputation for reliability, feature robustness, and performance.
Hasura
hasura.io › blog › top-psql-commands-and-flags-you-need-to-know-postgresql
Top psql commands and flags you need to know | PostgreSQL
If you want more information about a table, you can use the command: ... Now, you get extra information such as storage, compression, stats target, and a description. The \dn psql command lists all the database schemas.
JanBask Training
janbasktraining.com › community › sql-server › how-to-list-database-postgres-tables-using-psql
How to list database postgres & tables using psql? | JanBask Training Community
October 3, 2022 - I have created two databases and a few tables with pgAdmin III, so I know they should be listed. ... You will never see tables in other databases, these tables aren't visible. You have to connect to the correct database to see its tables (and other objects). ... See the manual about psql.
CommandPrompt Inc.
commandprompt.com › education › postgresql-list-users-databases-schemas-tables
PostgreSQL List Users, Databases, Schemas, Tables — CommandPrompt Inc.
May 5, 2024 - Use the “\l”, “\l+” commands or the “pg_database” catalog to get the list of all the available databases in a current server. The “\l” and “\l+” commands must be executed from the SQL Shell; however, the “pg_database” ...
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