# FLUSH TABLES

Completes all in-progress [DDL](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/data-definition-language-ddl.md) and [DML](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/data-manipulation-language-dml.md) transactions (writes) that are running against any databases in the cluster. Then, for each database in the cluster, makes every table available for reads, but not writes.

## Syntax

```
FLUSH TABLES [ON db_name] WITH READ {LOCK | ONLY}

```

## Arguments

* `db_name`: name of the database

## Remarks

* `FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK` blocks any DDL and DML transactions (writes) that are initiated following the execution of the command.
* `FLUSH TABLES WITH READ ONLY` fails any DDL and DML transactions (writes) that are initiated following the execution of the command, while holding the flush table locks.
* If you have any pipelines currently running, SingleStore recommends to stop them before executing the `FLUSH TABLES..` command. Do not create/drop/start/stop pipelines before executing the [UNLOCK TABLES](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/data-definition-language-ddl/unlock-tables.md) command.
* Running `UNLOCK TABLES` after `FLUSH TABLES...` will make the cluster available for writes. Running `UNLOCK TABLES` after `FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK`, specifically, will also unblock any writes that were initiated after `FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK` was submitted. The `UNLOCK TABLES` query must be run in the same connection as the `FLUSH TABLES` query for this feature to take effect.
* If the client connection that issued `FLUSH TABLES...` gets disconnected or is killed by an external process, then the lock is automatically released without the need to run the `UNLOCK TABLES` command.
* This command causes implicit commits. Refer to [COMMIT](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/data-manipulation-language-dml/commit.md) for more information.
* [Node Requirements for SingleStore Commands](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/cluster-management-commands.md)
* Refer to the [Permissions Matrix](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/security-management-commands/permissions-matrix.md) for the required permissions.

## Example

```sql

FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK;

```

## Related Topics

* [UNLOCK TABLES](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/data-definition-language-ddl/unlock-tables.md)

***

Modified at: April 21, 2026

Source: [/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/data-definition-language-ddl/flush-tables/](https://docs.singlestore.com/db/v9.1/reference/sql-reference/data-definition-language-ddl/flush-tables/)

(An index of the documentation is available at /llms.txt)