LIMIT
PaginationRestricts the number of rows returned by a query. Essential for pagination.
Syntax
SELECT cols FROM table LIMIT n [OFFSET m]
Example
SELECT * FROM posts ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 20 OFFSET 40;
About SQL LIMIT
The LIMIT keyword belongs to the Pagination category of SQL statements. Restricts the number of rows returned by a query. Essential for pagination. Understanding this command is essential for any developer working with relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, or SQL Server.
SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for managing and querying relational databases. The LIMIT statement is supported across all major database systems, though specific syntax may vary slightly between PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, and SQLite. Always consult your database's documentation for vendor-specific features and limitations.
Best practices for using LIMIT: always test queries on a development database before running them in production, use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and leverage EXPLAIN to understand query performance. For complex queries, consider using CTEs (Common Table Expressions) to improve readability and maintainability.