# UNLOCK TABLES

## Syntax

```sql
UNLOCK TABLES
```

## Description

`UNLOCK TABLES` explicitly releases any table locks held by the current session. See [LOCK TABLES](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/transactions/lock-tables) for more information.

In addition to releasing table locks acquired by the [LOCK TABLES](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/transactions/lock-tables) statement, the `UNLOCK TABLES` statement also releases the global read lock acquired by the `FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK` statement. The `FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK` statement is very useful for performing backups. See [FLUSH](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-statements/administrative-sql-statements/flush-commands/flush) for more information about `FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK`.

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