AWS_DEFAULT_REGION
The default AWS region for CLI commands and SDK operations when no region is explicitly specified. Determines which AWS data center region API requests are sent to. Common values include us-east-1, eu-west-1, and ap-southeast-1.
Last updated:
AWS_DEFAULT_REGION is the older of two environment variables that set the AWS region. It was originally a CLI-only setting, while the SDKs read AWS_REGION. Modern AWS CLI v2 and current SDKs now understand both — but when both are set, AWS_REGION wins. If you only ever set one, set AWS_REGION; AWS_DEFAULT_REGION exists mainly for backwards compatibility with older tooling and Terraform's AWS provider, which historically read it.
- Provider
- AWS
- Category
- configuration
- Set by
- Set via aws configure, environment variable, or AWS config file
- Example
- us-east-1
How to set AWS_DEFAULT_REGION
bash
export AWS_DEFAULT_REGION=us-east-1
aws ec2 describe-instancescheck for a conflicting pair
env | grep -E 'AWS_REGION|AWS_DEFAULT_REGION'Frequently Asked Questions
AWS_REGION vs AWS_DEFAULT_REGION — which one should I use?
Use AWS_REGION. It is read by both the SDKs and AWS CLI v2, and it takes precedence when both are set. AWS_DEFAULT_REGION is the legacy CLI variable; keep it only if older tools in your stack still require it, and make sure it matches AWS_REGION to avoid sending requests to the wrong region.
Stay up to date
Get notified about new guides, tools, and cheatsheets.