How to Set Up Billing Alarm in AWS

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Create a Billing Alarm
3. Set Up Notification
4. Confirm Subscription
5. Conclusion

Introduction

You'll want to set up a billing alarm with AWS when you want to get notified if the amount reaches a certain limit. The following example shows how to get an email from AWS SNS when the amount exceeds 5 dollars.

Create a Billing Alarm

First, let's go to the page to get started.

• Go to CloudWatch

• Click Billing

• Click Create Alarm

• You will land on the Specify metric and condition page

• Enter the condition and account. The following example sets an alert when the amount is more than $5. Click Next.

Set Up Notification

Once you enter the amount, we'll need to create a topic and email. Enter the Email where you want to get notified when the AWS amount exceeds $5.

Create a unique name for this alarm.

After reviewing, click Create alarm.

Confirm Subscription

At this point, AWS sends a confirmation email to the address you entered earlier.

Go to your email inbox and click to confirm the subscription.

Click Confirm subscription.

Now you can see everything is set up. You should get an email when your AWS spending exceeds $5.

Conclusion

Setting up a billing alarm in AWS is a simple but important step to avoid unexpected charges. By using CloudWatch and SNS, you can receive email notifications when your AWS spending exceeds your defined threshold.

Reference Links

• Creating a Billing Alarm to Monitor Your Estimated AWS Charges

• AWS Free Tier