# Inactive DynamoDB table | Cloud Efficiency Hub Canonical: https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/inactive-dynamodb-table A DynamoDB table is no longer accessed by any active workload but continues to accumulate storage charges, plus hourly provisioned read and write... By: PointFive Updated: 2026-09-28 [Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) # Inactive DynamoDB Table The short version A DynamoDB table is no longer accessed by any active workload but continues to accumulate storage charges, plus hourly provisioned read and write capacity charges for provisioned-mode tables and any point-in-time recovery or backup charges if enabled. PointFive Research Cloud cost research at PointFive AWS service [AWS DynamoDB](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/cloud-services/aws-dynamodb) Category [Databases](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/service-category/databases) Reference CER-0091 Type Idle or Unused Resource ## Explanation Why the waste happens and who it affects. These tables often remain after a project ends, a feature is retired, or data is migrated elsewhere. Without any read or write activity, the table provides no functional value and becomes a cost liability. ## Billing model The pricing dimensions that drive this cost. DynamoDB charges for data storage (per GB-month) and for read/write activity (either per request or via provisioned capacity). Tables incur storage charges continuously, regardless of usage, and provisioned-mode tables are also billed hourly for the capacity provisioned rather than the capacity consumed. ## How to detect 4 checks to find it in your estate. - Identify tables with zero read or write activity over a defined lookback period (e.g. 7, 14, 30+ days) - Confirm no dependencies exist from applications, analytics jobs, backup processes, or event streams - Check metadata (tags, naming, creation date) to determine purpose and ownership - Validate with data owners whether the table's content must be retained for compliance or reference ## How to fix How to remove the waste. Delete the table if it's no longer needed. If data retention is required, export the table contents (e.g., to S3) before deletion. Use lifecycle tagging or ownership metadata to track tables going forward and avoid orphaned storage. For tables that may become inactive again in the future, consider archiving the data or restructuring workflows to avoid indefinite retention. ## Documentation Vendor references for pricing and configuration. - [DynamoDB Pricing aws.amazon.com](https://aws.amazon.com/dynamodb/pricing/) - [Working with tables and data in DynamoDB docs.aws.amazon.com](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/WorkingWithTables.html) ## Related inefficiencies [Browse the library](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) - AWS DynamoDB CER-0185 ### [Underutilized Write Capacity on a DynamoDB Table](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/underutilized-write-capacity-on-a-dynamodb-table) Provisioned capacity mode is appropriate for workloads with consistent or predictable throughput. However, when write capacity is significantly over-provisioned relative to actual usage, it results in wasted spend. This inefficiency is... Databases - AWS DynamoDB CER-0153 ### [Underutilized Read Capacity on a DynamoDB Table](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/underutilized-read-capacity-on-a-dynamodb-table) Provisioned capacity mode is appropriate for workloads with consistent or predictable throughput. However, when read capacity is significantly over-provisioned relative to actual usage, it results in wasted spend. This inefficiency is... Databases - AWS DynamoDB CER-0107 ### [Suboptimal Storage Type for DynamoDB Table](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub/inefficiencies/suboptimal-storage-type-for-dynamodb-table) A table remains in the default Standard storage class despite having minimal or infrequent access. In these cases, switching to Standard-IA can significantly reduce monthly storage costs, especially for archival tables, compliance data, or... Databases --- Source: the public page above. Product screenshots and illustrative interfaces are examples, not live customer data.