---
title: View slow query details
source: https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/apm-ui-pages/monitoring/view-slow-query-details
---

In APM, when we collect [transaction traces](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/transactions/transaction-traces/introduction-transaction-traces), we might also find some additional **Slow query** data and display it on the [**Databases**](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/apm-ui-pages/monitoring/databases-page-view-operations-throughput-response-time/) page. Let's look at what slow query data is, where to find it, and how to configure it.

## Sampling of slow query data [#about]

When [transaction traces](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/transactions/transaction-traces/introduction-transaction-traces) are reported, the slow queries feature samples the slowest database queries in those traces and reports data about them on the [**Databases**](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/applications-menu/monitoring/databases-slow-queries-page) page. Slow query data can include:

-   Duration of query segments
-   Query/explain plans (if recognized)
-   [Host and instance level details](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/apm/applications-menu/features/analyze-database-instance-level-performance-issues) (if supported by agent)

## View slow query data [#db_slowsql]

You can view data about slow SQL queries in our APM UI:

1.  Go to **[one.newrelic.com > All capabilities](https://one.newrelic.com/all-capabilities) > APM & Services**.
2.  Select an app.
3.  Under the **Monitor** section, click **Databases**.
4.  Select a database transaction.
5.  Click on any [slow queries](#slowsql_details) to get details.
    ![Screenshot showing the APM databases page with slow queries](https://docs.newrelic.com/images/apm_screenshot-full_apm-databases-ui.webp "Screenshot showing the APM databases page with slow queries")

If you do not see expected slow query data, follow the [troubleshooting tips](#troubleshooting).

## Configuration [#settings]

In general, you can configure your slow query settings either of these ways:

-   Agent configuration (see below)
-   [Server-side configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/manage-apm-agents/configuration/server-side-agent-configuration) (if available for your agent)

Agent configuration gives you more options than server-side configuration does. How you choose to configure slow queries will depend on your own setup and preferences. For more information, see the documentation for the specific agent:

**Go**

Agent configuration options:

-   Enable/disable: [`SlowQuery.Enabled`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/go-agent/configuration/go-agent-configuration#slow-query)
-   Slow query threshold: [`SlowQuery.Threshold`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/go-agent/configuration/go-agent-configuration#slow-query-threshold)
-   For other datastore config options, see [Datastore tracer configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/go-agent/configuration/go-agent-configuration#datastore-tracer).

**Java**

Agent configuration:

-   Slow query threshold: [`explain_threshold`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/java-agent/configuration/java-agent-configuration-config-file#tt-explain_threshold).
-   For other settings related to slow transactions and queries, see the [Transaction tracer config options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/java-agent/configuration/java-agent-configuration-config-file#h2-Transaction-tracer).

    You can also edit basic slow query settings via [server-side configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/manage-apm-agents/configuration/server-side-agent-configuration#customize-ssc).

**.NET**

Agent configuration:

-   Enable/disable: [`slowSql enabled`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/net-agent/configuration/net-agent-configuration#slow_sql)
-   Slow query threshold: [explainThreshold](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/net-agent/configuration/net-agent-configuration#tracer-explainThreshold)
-   For other settings related to slow transactions and queries, see the [Transaction tracer config options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/net-agent/configuration/net-agent-configuration#transaction_tracer) and the [Datastore tracer options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/net-agent/configuration/net-agent-configuration#datastore_tracer).

    You can also edit basic slow query settings via [server-side configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/manage-apm-agents/configuration/server-side-agent-configuration#customize-ssc).

**Node.js**

Agent configuration:

-   Enable/disable: [`enabled`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/nodejs-agent/installation-configuration/nodejs-agent-configuration#slow-sql-enabled)
-   Threshold: [`explain_threshold`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/nodejs-agent/installation-configuration/nodejs-agent-configuration#explain_threshold)
-   Maximum slow query samples: [`max_samples`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/nodejs-agent/installation-configuration/nodejs-agent-configuration#slow-sql-max-samples)
-   For other settings related to slow transactions and queries, see the [Transaction tracer config options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/nodejs-agent/installation-configuration/nodejs-agent-configuration#tx_tracer_config).

    [Server-side configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/manage-apm-agents/configuration/server-side-agent-configuration) of slow query data is not possible for the Node.js agent.

**PHP**

Agent configuration:

-   Enable/disable: [`slow_sql`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/php-agent/configuration/php-agent-configuration#inivar-tt-slowsql)
-   Threshold: [`explain_threshold`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/php-agent/configuration/php-agent-configuration#inivar-tt-epthreshold)
-   For other settings related to slow transactions and queries, see the [Transaction tracer config options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/php-agent/configuration/php-agent-configuration#inivar-tt-settings).

    [Server-side configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/manage-apm-agents/configuration/server-side-agent-configuration) is not possible for the PHP agent.

**Python**

Agent configuration:

-   Slow query threshold: [`explain_threshold`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/python-agent/configuration/python-agent-configuration#txn-tracer-explain-threshold)
-   For other settings related to slow transactions and queries, see the [Transaction tracer config options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/python-agent/configuration/python-agent-configuration#txn-tracer-settings) and the [Datastore tracer options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/python-agent/configuration/python-agent-configuration#datastore-tracer-settings).

    You can also edit basic slow query settings via [server-side configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/manage-apm-agents/configuration/server-side-agent-configuration#customize-ssc).

**Ruby**

Agent configuration:

-   Enable/disable: [`slow_sql.enabled`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/ruby-agent/configuration/ruby-agent-configuration#slow_sql-enabled)
-   Slow query threshold: [`slow_sql.explain_threshold`](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/ruby-agent/configuration/ruby-agent-configuration#slow_sql-explain_threshold)
-   For other settings related to slow transactions and queries, see the [Transaction tracer config options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/ruby-agent/configuration/ruby-agent-configuration#transaction_tracer) and the [Slow SQL config options](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/ruby-agent/configuration/ruby-agent-configuration#slow_sql).

    If applicable for your application's agent language, you can also edit basic slow query settings by using [server-side configuration](https://docs.newrelic.com/docs/agents/manage-apm-agents/configuration/server-side-agent-configuration#customize-ssc).

## Slow queries metrics [#slowsql_details]

The slow queries list contains the following metrics:

| **Metric**      | **Description**                                                         |
| --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Response time` | The average response time (in milliseconds) for the statements sampled. |
| `Sample count`  | The number of slow queries identified in the sample.                    |

To view additional details, select an individual slow query:

| **Metric**    | **Description**                                                                                                       |
| ------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Start time`  | When the stack trace began collecting the data shown.                                                                 |
| `Max time`    | The maximum time for all similar query statements in the sample.                                                      |
| `Action`      | The action or process invoking the query.                                                                             |
| `Query`       | The query that is being reported as slow. Depending on your configuration, some parts of the query may be obfuscated. |
| `Stack trace` | Where in the code the statement was called.                                                                           |

For MySQL, we provide a query analysis, which explains what happened in your query and what you might do to speed it up. Other databases display an explain plan whenever possible.

## Troubleshooting: No slow query data [#troubleshooting]

If you don't see slow query data, it's possible that we don't instrument your particular database for slow SQL.

It's also possible you have configuration issues:

-   The slow query feature has been disabled.
-   The duration of the threshold is set too high and no slow queries are being reported.
-   The query obfuscation setting (usually `record_sql` or similar) may be set to `Off`.

See [configuration options](#settings) for more information.