Query Builder
Query Builder
The Query Builder in Cost Explorer allows you to create custom cost analyses by combining filters, groupings, and date ranges.
Accessing Cost Explorer
Navigate to Cost Explorer in the main menu. The page shows your filter controls and the results (chart and table) all in one view. Adjust the filters and the results update automatically.
Query Components
Date Range
Select the time period for analysis:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Month | Month-to-date spending |
| Last Month | Previous complete month |
| Last 3 Months | Quarterly view |
| Last 6 Months | Half-year view |
| Last 12 Months | Annual view |
| Custom Range | Specify exact dates |
Filters
Narrow down results by dimension:
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| Service | AWS service (EC2, RDS, S3, Lambda, etc.) |
| Account | AWS account ID |
| Region | AWS region |
| Usage Type | Specific usage categories |
| Operation | AWS operation type |
| Instance Type | EC2/RDS instance type |
| Availability Zone | Specific AZ |
| Resource ID | Individual resource identifier |
| Tag | Cost allocation tags (prefix with tag:) |
Multiple Filters
Combine filters for precise analysis:
Service = EC2
AND Region = us-east-1
AND Tag:Environment = productionGroup By
Choose how to aggregate costs:
| Group By | Result |
|---|---|
| Service | Costs per AWS service |
| Account | Costs per AWS account |
| Region | Costs per region |
| Tag | Costs per tag value |
| Usage Type | Detailed usage breakdown |
Granularity
Choose the time granularity for time series data:
| Granularity | Description |
|---|---|
| Hourly | Hour-by-hour cost breakdown |
| Daily | Day-by-day cost breakdown (default) |
| Monthly | Month-by-month cost breakdown |
Building a Query
Example 1: EC2 Costs by Region
- Date Range: Last Month
- Filters: Service = Amazon EC2
- Group By: Region
- Run Query
Example 2: Production Environment Costs
- Date Range: Last 3 Months
- Filters: Tag:Environment = production
- Group By: Service
- Run Query
Example 3: Account Comparison
- Date Range: Last 6 Months
- Filters: None (all accounts)
- Group By: Account, Month
- Run Query
Understanding Results
Table View
Results display in a table with:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimension | Grouped values (service, account, etc.) |
| Cost | Total cost for the period |
| % of Total | Proportion of total spend |
| Change | Difference from previous period |
Chart View
Visualizations available:
- Line Chart - Trends over time
- Bar Chart - Comparative analysis
- Pie Chart - Proportional breakdown
- Stacked Area - Cumulative trends
Exporting Results
Download query results directly from your browser:
- Run your query
- Click Export or Download
- The CSV file downloads to your computer
Note: Export generates the CSV file in your browser from the displayed query results. For large datasets, consider narrowing your date range or filters.
CSV Format
date,service,region,cost
2024-01-01,EC2,us-east-1,1234.56
2024-01-01,RDS,us-east-1,789.01Query Tips
Performance
- Shorter date ranges run faster
- Fewer filters = faster queries
- Large accounts may have query limits
Accuracy
- Data has 24-48 hour delay
- Forecasts are estimates
- Credits/refunds may appear later
Common Query Patterns
| Goal | Filters | Group By |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly billing | None | Month |
| Service breakdown | None | Service |
| Team costs | Tag:Team = X | Service |
| Regional analysis | None | Region |
| Account comparison | None | Account |
| Daily trends | Last 30 Days | Day |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No results | Filter too restrictive | Broaden filters |
| Slow query | Large date range | Narrow date range |
| Missing data | Tag not activated | Enable cost allocation tag |
| Zero costs | Wrong filter value | Verify filter values |
Related Topics
- Cost Allocation Tags - Tag-based analysis
- Dashboard Widgets - Pre-built visualizations
- Cost Explorer Overview - Feature overview