Why are the metrics on the DynamoDB console different from the CloudWatch metrics?

Resolution

The metrics in the CloudWatch console are raw and provide more statistics options than the metrics in the DynamoDB console. The metrics in the DynamoDB console are average values over one-minute intervals. For example, ConsumedWriteCapacityUnits is the sum of the consumed units over one minute, divided by the number of seconds in a minute (60).

To set the graphs to look the same in both CloudWatch and DynamoDB, be sure that the period and the time range are the same:

1. Open the DynamoDB console.
2. In the navigation pane, choose Tables.
3. Choose your table, and then choose the Metrics tab.
4. Choose View all CloudWatch metrics to open the CloudWatch console.
5. Choose the category that the metric is in, such as Table metrics.
6. Check the boxes next to the table name for the metrics that you want to see.
7. Choose the Graphed metrics tab.
8. In the Statistic dropdown list, choose Sum.
9. In the Period dropdown list, choose 1 Minute.
10. If there are provisioned and consumed metrics on the CloudWatch graph, then use the arrows in the Y Axis column to move the provisioned values to the right Y axis and the consumed values to the left Y axis.
11. Use a math expression to divide the metrics by 60 (for example, m2/60).

Missing metrics

If CloudWatch doesn't list a metric for DynamoDB, then it's probably because DynamoDB doesn't have recent data for that metric. CloudWatch lists only the metrics that were active in the past two weeks. This prevents you from seeing too many older metrics when you call ListMetrics.

Related information

DynamoDB metrics and dimensions

Using metric math

Monitoring with Amazon CloudWatch

Graphing a metric