# Underutilized read capacity on a DynamoDB table Canonical: 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. By: PointFive [Cloud Efficiency Hub](https://www.pointfive.co/efficiency-hub) # Underutilized Read Capacity on a DynamoDB Table The short version Provisioned capacity mode is appropriate for workloads with consistent or predictable throughput. 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-0153 Type Overprovisioned Resource ## Explanation Why the waste happens and who it affects. However, when read capacity is significantly over-provisioned relative to actual usage, it results in wasted spend. This inefficiency is especially common in dev/test environments, legacy systems, or workloads that have tapered off over time but were never adjusted. ## Billing model The pricing dimensions that drive this cost. In Provisioned Capacity Mode, DynamoDB charges hourly for: - Read Capacity Units (RCUs) and Write Capacity Units (WCUs) based on the provisioned level, not actual consumption - Additional services such as backups, streams, and global tables also generate usage-based charges Read and write capacity is billed continuously, regardless of whether it is fully used. Over-provisioning RCUs or WCUs leads to avoidable cost. ## How to detect 7 checks to find it in your estate. - Identify DynamoDB tables using Provisioned capacity mode - Review utilization history to assess average read throughput - Determine whether actual read usage is consistently below the provisioned capacity - Check for the absence of throttling or bursty usage patterns that would require excess headroom - Evaluate whether Auto Scaling is enabled and if current minimum thresholds are still appropriate - Confirm the table's environment (e.g., production vs. test) and business criticality - Engage with workload owners to validate whether capacity can be safely reduced or if On-Demand is more appropriate ## How to fix How to remove the waste. Reduce provisioned read capacity to better match observed usage, either manually or by tuning Auto Scaling settings. For workloads with highly variable or low average usage, consider switching to On-Demand mode, which offers pay-per-request pricing and removes the need to manage throughput provisioning. ## Documentation Vendor references for pricing and configuration. - [AWS DynamoDB Cost Optimization Guide docs.aws.amazon.com](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazondynamodb/latest/developerguide/CostOptimization_TableCapacityMode.html) - [AWS DynamoDB Pricing aws.amazon.com](https://aws.amazon.com/dynamodb/pricing/) ## 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-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 - AWS DynamoDB CER-0091 ### [Inactive DynamoDB Table](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 capacity charges for provisioned-mode tables and any point-in-time recovery or backup charges... Databases --- Source: the public page above. Product screenshots and illustrative interfaces are examples, not live customer data.