# Track resource cost by tag
Track cost by tag

You can use tags for cost allocation to track your AWS cost in detail. After you activate the cost allocation tags, AWS uses the cost allocation tags to organize your resource billing on your cost allocation report. This helps you categorize and track your usage costs.

There are two types of cost allocation tags you can activate:
+ [AWS-generated](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/awsaccountbilling/latest/aboutv2/aws-tags.html) – These tags are generated by AWS. AWS tags use the `aws:` prefix, for example, `aws:createdBy`.
+ [User-defined](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/awsaccountbilling/latest/aboutv2/custom-tags.html) – These are custom tags that you create. The user-defined tags use the `user:` prefix, for example, `user:CostCenter`.

You must activate each tag type individually. After your tags are activated, you can [enable AWS Cost Explorer](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/awsaccountbilling/latest/aboutv2/ce-enable.html) or view your monthly cost allocation report.

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#### [ AWS-generated tags ]

**To activate AWS-generated tags**

1. Open the Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/home#/.).

1. In the left navigation pane, choose **Cost Allocation Tags**.

1. Under the **AWS-Generated Cost Allocation Tags** tab, select the tag keys that you want to activate.

1. Choose **Activate**. 

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#### [ User-defined tags ]

**To activate user-defined tags**

1. Open the Billing and Cost Management console at [https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/](https://console.aws.amazon.com/billing/home#/.).

1. In the left navigation pane, choose **Cost Allocation Tags**.

1. Under the **User-Defined Cost Allocation Tags** tab, select the tag keys you want to activate.

1. Choose **Activate**. 

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After you activate your tags, AWS generates a [monthly Cost Allocation Report](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/awsaccountbilling/latest/aboutv2/configurecostallocreport.html) for your resource usage and cost. This cost allocation report includes all of your AWS costs for each billing period, including tagged and untagged resources. For more information, see [Using Cost Allocation Tags](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/awsaccountbilling/latest/aboutv2/cost-alloc-tags.html) in the *AWS Billing and Cost Management User Guide*.