How to Create Azure Cost Anomaly Alerts

Azure cost anomaly alerts notify you when subscription spending differs from expected usage patterns.

Before you start

You need Cost Management Contributor or higher, or a custom role with Microsoft.CostManagement/scheduledActions/write. Anomaly alerts are unavailable in Azure Government.

Create the alert

1. In the Azure portal, open Cost Management and select the intended subscription scope.
2. Open Cost Analysis and a Smart view to onboard the subscription for anomaly detection.
3. Open Cost alerts, select + Add, and choose Anomaly as the alert type.
4. Complete the required fields, including notification recipients, then select Create.

Verify and investigate

Open Alert rules and confirm the saved rule and recipients. When an email arrives, follow its portal link to investigate the affected resource groups.

Understand the timing

Detection runs 36 hours after a UTC day ends, using the previous 60 days of usage. Email is sent once per detection and depends on the creator’s current access.

Assign someone to review alerts and document the cause and follow-up action.

Related guide

How to Set an Azure Budget and Spending Alerts

Sources

• Microsoft Learn: Identify anomalies and unexpected changes in cost
• Microsoft Learn: Monitor usage and spending with cost alerts