Description

The SQL keyword LIMIT is used to limit the rows returned by a SELECT statement when we are not interested in rows more than a certain limit.

  • The LIMIT clause is supported by the MySQL database system.
  • An equivalent clause TOP is supported by the SQL Server and MS Access database systems.
  • An equivalent clause ROWNUM is supported by the Oracle database system.

NOTE: Always use the LIMIT clause along with the ORDER BY clause on a SELECT statement for desired results.

LIMIT Number

The below SQL statement returns the top three highest-paid employees.

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SELECT * FROM employees 
ORDER BY salary DESC LIMIT 3;

LIMIT With Offset

The below SQL statement returns the three highest-paid employees, starting from the 2nd row.

  • The offset value for the 2nd row is 1, from where the 3 records must be returned.

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SELECT * FROM employees 
ORDER BY salary DESC LIMIT 1, 3;

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