# Backend usage

> This page is about FlutterFlow (the app builder you use by describing your app), not FlutterFlow Studio.

URL: https://docs.flutterflow.io/ffx/backend-usage

Check how much your app's backend reads and writes, see earlier months, and learn when usage starts over.

**Backend › Usage** shows your app's [backend usage](https://docs.flutterflow.io/ffx/glossary#backend-usage): how much its backend reads and writes, and how close each amount is to any limit it has.

## Check usage {#check-usage}

To see this month's backend usage:

1. Open **Backend**.
2. Select **Usage**.

**Result:** **Usage** shows its meters in groups:

- **This month:** **Database reads** and **Database writes** since the first of the month (UTC). The group's label includes the month's dates, such as **This month · Oct 1–31**.
- **Stored:** **Database storage**, and **File storage** when your app has a folder for files or has stored files.
- **Live updates:** **Live updates** counts this month's messages to and from screens that watch records or lists. **Live connections** counts the screens that are connected for live updates. This group appears when your app has used live updates this month or has screens that are connected for live updates.

Each meter shows the amount used. When a meter has a limit, it also shows the limit and a bar that shows how full the meter is. The bar changes color as it gets close to the limit.

## Earlier months {#earlier-months}

To see the totals for an earlier month:

1. In **Backend › Usage**, open the month menu next to **This month**.
2. Select a month.

**Result:** The first group shows that month's totals for **Database reads** and **Database writes**, and its label names the month and its dates, such as **September 2026 · Sep 1–30**. **Stored** and **Live updates** still show the current amounts. To return to the current month, select **This month**.

## High-usage warnings {#warnings}

When **Database reads**, **Database writes**, **Database storage** or **File storage** reaches 75% of its limit, the line under the **Backend** title warns about the fullest of them, such as "Reads are at 82% of this month’s allowance". For a storage meter, the line reads like "Database storage is at 80% of your allowance". If an open [thread](https://docs.flutterflow.io/ffx/glossary#thread) is changing the backend, the line describes that change instead. Billing members don't see this line.

## Monthly reset {#over-the-limit}

Monthly meters, such as **Database reads** and **Database writes**, start over on the first of each month (UTC).

## Usage and allowance {#not-your-allowance}

The **Backend** header's warning, such as "Reads are at 82% of this month’s allowance", and the line under the **Usage** heading are about your app's backend usage, not your [allowance](https://docs.flutterflow.io/ffx/glossary#allowance) for the agent. The two are separate:

- **Backend usage** belongs to one app: what its backend reads and writes. Everyone on your app's team sees the same usage numbers in **Backend › Usage**.
- **Your allowance** is your own budget of agent work, across all your apps. **Plan & usage** shows how much is left and when it resets. See [Plans, prices and allowance](https://docs.flutterflow.io/ffx/plans-and-allowance#where-to-see-your-allowance).

Your app's backend can have usage limits, such as on **Database reads** and **Database writes**. Check your current usage in **Backend › Usage**.

## Troubleshooting {#if-something-goes-wrong}

- If **Usage** shows "Usage could not be read.", click **Try again**.
- If your app can't load or save records, see [Your app can't load or save records](https://docs.flutterflow.io/ffx/troubleshoot-live-app#cant-load-or-save).