A facility for performing a distinct count metric by utilizing aggregate navigation is provided. For a distinct count query of an identifier of a detail table, where the query specifies zero or more restrictions, the facility identifies an aggregate table that is associated with the detail table. The facility then determines whether the aggregate table contains the identifier that is being distinct counted, and if so, further determines whether the identifier is different in every row of the aggregate table. If it is, then the facility performs a count operation on the rows of the aggregate table that satisfy the specified restrictions to obtain a result for the distinct count query. If the identifier is not different in every row of the aggregate table, the facility performs a distinct count operation on the rows of the aggregate table that satisfy the specified restrictions to obtain a result for the distinct count query.