MySQL Var Types
If you are using assistive technology and are unable to read any part of the HostMonster website, or otherwise have difficulties using the HostMonster website, please call 866-573-HOST and our customer service team will assist you.
Skip to main content
Search

HostMonster Web Hosting Help

MySQL Var Types

MySQL Variable Types

In a MySQL database, there are three (3) main data types: text, numbers and dates/times.  When you design your database, it is important that you select the appropriate type, since this determines why type of data you can store in that column.  Using the most appropriate type can also increase the database's overall performance.

Text Types

CHAR( ) A fixed section from 0 to 255 characters long.
VARCHAR( ) A variable section from 0 to 255 characters long.
TINYTEXT A string with a maximum length of 255 characters.
TEXT A string with a maximum length of 65535 characters.
BLOB A string with a maximum length of 65535 characters.
MEDIUMTEXT A string with a maximum length of 16777215 characters.
MEDIUMBLOB A string with a maximum length of 16777215 characters.
LONGTEXT A string with a maximum length of 4294967295 characters.
LONGBLOB A string with a maximum length of 4294967295 characters.

The ( ) brackets allow you to specify the maximum  number of characters that can be used in the column.

BLOB stands for Binary Large OBject, and can be used to store non-text information that is encoded into text.

Number Types

TINYINT ( ) -128 to 127 normal 0 to 255 UNSIGNED
SMALLINT( ) -32768 to 32767 normal 0 to 65535 UNSIGNED
MEDIUMINT( ) -8388608 to 8388607 normal 0 to 16777215 UNSIGNED
INT( ) -2147483648 to 2147483647 normal 0 to 4294967295 UNSIGNED
BIGINT( ) -9223372036854775808 to 9223372036854775807 normal 0 to 18446744073709551615 UNSIGNED
FLOAT A small number with a floating decimal point.
DOUBLE( , ) A large number with a floating decimal point.
DECIMAL( , ) A DOUBLE stored as a string, allowing for a fixed decimal point.

By default, the integer types will allow a range between a negative number and a positive number, as indicated in the table above.  You can use the UNSIGNED commend, which will instead only allow positive numbers, which start at 0 and count up.

Date/Time Types

DATE YYYY-MM-DD
DATETIME YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
TIMESTAMP YYYYMMDDHHMMSS
TIME HH:MM:SS
YEAR YYYY

Date/Time fields will only accept a valid date or time.

Knowledgebase Article 95,915 views bookmark
share
Share or save this via:
tags: mysql


Was this resource helpful?
Helpful Unhelpful


Did this resolve your issue?
Solved Unsolved


Please add any other comments or suggestions about this content:





Recommended Help Content

How to Add Tables to a DB in PhpMyAdmin
Guidance on adding tables to your mySQL database in phpMyAdmin
Knowledgebase Article 115,522 views tags: mysql phpmyadmin

Create Custom MIME Types
This article will explain how to create MIME types.
Knowledgebase Article 155,131 views tags: create custom extensions files mime types

Setting a Password for the Main MySQL User
I am prompted to set a new MySQL password. What does this mean and how do I change it?
Knowledgebase Article 250,916 views tags: connect database mysql password phpmyadmin username

Related Help Content

MySQL Error Messages
This article will show a few MySQL errors along with explanations as to why they might be occurring.
Knowledgebase Article 132,971 views tags: errors mysql

Change a MySQL Users Password
This article will explain how to change or reset the password for a MySQL user.
Knowledgebase Article 156,443 views tags: change mysql password reset user

Connecting to your MySQL DB from Dreamweaver
How can I connect to our MySQL database from Dreamweaver?
Knowledgebase Article 272,824 views tags: connecting database dream mysql weaver

Optimizing MySQL: Queries and Indexes Article 3 of 4
Optimizing MySQL: Queries and Indexes Article 3 of 4 Courtesy of: Ian Gilfillan Ordering by surname is a common requirement, so it would make sense to create an index on surname. But in this example o
Knowledgebase Article 222,649 views tags: cpu exceeded index indexes mysql optimize optimizing queries query

How to Create and Delete MySQL Databases and Users
This article will explain MySQL database and user creation and deletion, and explain how to assign a user to a database.
Knowledgebase Article 875,567 views tags: creation database mysql

Connecting Scripts to MySQL Databases
This article will explain how to connect your scripts to your MySQL databases.
Knowledgebase Article 238,559 views tags: database mysql scripts

MySQL Database Access Outside of cPanel
How do I grant permissions to cPanel for my MySQL database administrator without giving them the domain password?
Knowledgebase Article 284,109 views tags: access grant mysql password permission

MySQL Database Compatibility
How do I make my MySQL database compatible with the version you provide?
Knowledgebase Article 246,840 views tags: compatible database mysql

This site utilizes JavaScript to function correctly. Looks like it's disabled on your browser. Please enable it for your best experience.

For instructions on enabling JavaScript, click here