SQL BETWEEN operator
Here is a clear and practical guide to the SQL BETWEEN operator, with examples for numbers, dates, text, and best-practice notes.
What the SQL BETWEEN operator Does
BETWEEN is used to filter values within a range, including the lower and upper bounds.
Basic syntax:
This is equivalent to:
Numeric Examples
1. Find prices between 10 and 50
2. Find scores outside a range
Date Examples
1. Find orders created between two dates
2. Safer version for end-of-day timestamp
If created_at includes timestamps:
(Recommended for PostgreSQL/MySQL.)
Text Examples (lexicographical order)
BETWEEN can compare text alphabetically.
This returns last names starting with A through M (inclusive).
Important Behavior Notes
BETWEENis inclusive (>=and<=)- Works on numbers, dates, and text
- Avoid using it on DATETIME unless careful with upper bound
- Better readability than writing two comparisons
