PostgreSQL - Data Types

Last Updated : 14 May, 2025

PostgreSQL is a powerful, open-source relational database management system that supports a wide variety of data types. These data types are essential for defining the nature of the data stored in a database column. which allows developers to define, store, and manipulate data in a way that aligns with the specific needs of their applications.

In this article, We will learn about the PostgreSQL Data Types in detail by understanding various Data Types in PostgreSQL and so on.

PostgreSQL Data Types

In PostgreSQL, data types are essential for determining the kind of data that can be stored in a database column. Each data type has its own characteristics, such as storage requirements, behavior, and optimization potential. Which helps in optimizing data storage ensuring data integrity and how efficiently data is accessed, stored, and processed. Here, we will look into the various data types available in PostgreSQL. The following data types are supported by PostgreSQL:

1. Numeric Type

These types are used for storing numerical data. PostgreSQL provides various numeric types, including:

Numeric Type	Description	Storage Size	Range	Example Values
smallint	A 2-byte integer type.	2 bytes	-32,768 to 32,767	`-100`, `0`, `20000`
integer	A 4-byte integer type (default integer type).	4 bytes	-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647	`-5000`, `0`, `150000`
bigint	An 8-byte integer type.	8 bytes	-9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807	`-1000000000`, `0`, `30000000000`
decimal(p, s)	A numeric type with user-defined precision (p) and scale (s).	Variable	-10^38 +1 to 10^38 -1 with up to 38 digits of precision.	`123.45`, `-987.654321`
numeric(p, s)	Similar to decimal, with user-defined precision and scale, representing exact numeric values.	Variable	-10^38 +1 to 10^38 -1 with up to 38 digits of precision.	`123.456`, `-12345.6789`
real	A 4-byte single precision floating-point number.	4 bytes	1.701411734 × 10^38 (max) to -1.701411734 × 10^38 (min).	`3.14`, `-0.001`, `2.71828`
double precision	An 8-byte double precision floating-point number.	8 bytes	1.7976931348623157 × 10^308 (max) to -1.7976931348623157 × 10^308 (min).	`3.141592653589793`, `-1.0E-5`
serial	An auto-incrementing 4-byte integer type, often used for primary keys.	4 bytes	Same as integer.	Automatically increments by 1
bigserial	An auto-incrementing 8-byte integer type, used for large-scale primary keys.	8 bytes	Same as bigint.	Automatically increments by 1

2. Monetary Type

Here’s a detailed overview of the monetary types available in PostgreSQL, presented in a tabular format:

Monetary Type	Description	Storage Size	Range	Example Values
money	A fixed-point type used for storing currency values.	8 bytes	-2,147,483,648.00 to 2,147,483,647.00	`$1234.56`, `-$10.00`

3. Character Types

Here’s a detailed overview of the character types available in PostgreSQL, presented in a tabular format:

Character Type	Description	Storage Size	Maximum Length	Example Values
char(n)	A fixed-length character type. If the string is shorter than n, it is padded with spaces.	`n + 1 bytes` (1 byte per character plus 1 byte for length)	`1 to 8,000`	`'A'`, `'Hello '` (padded)
varchar(n)	A variable-length character type. It can store strings with a maximum length of n.	`1 + actual length` (1 byte for length)	`1 to 8,000`	`'Alice'`, `'Bob'`
text	A variable-length character type with no specific length limit.	`1 + actual length` (1 byte for length)	No limit	`'This is a long text string.'`

4. Binary Types

Binary types in PostgreSQL are used to store raw binary data. The bytea type is specifically designed for this purpose, allowing you to store byte arrays for applications that need to manage non-text data, such as images, audio, and other multimedia files.

Binary Type	Description	Storage Size	Maximum Length	Example Values
bytea	Stores binary data (byte array).	Variable	No limit	`'\xDEADBEEF'`, `'\x00FF'`

5. Date/Time Types

PostgreSQL provides several date and time types to handle temporal data effectively. These types are essential for applications that require accurate time tracking, such as event scheduling, logging, and historical data analysis.

Date/Time Type	Description	Storage Size	Range	Example Values
date	Stores calendar dates (year, month, day).	4 bytes	4713 BC to 5874897 AD	`2024-10-08`
time	Stores time of day (hour, minute, second).	8 bytes	00:00:00 to 24:00:00 (with or without time zone)	`13:45:30`, `12:00:00`
timestamp	Stores both date and time (without time zone).	8 bytes	4713 BC to 5874897 AD	`2024-10-08 14:30:00`
timestamptz	Stores both date and time (with time zone).	8 bytes	4713 BC to 5874897 AD	`2024-10-08 14:30:00-05`
interval	Represents a span of time (days, hours, minutes, seconds).	Variable	-178000 years to 178000 years	`1 day`, `2 hours 30 mins`

6. Boolean Types

Boolean types in PostgreSQL store truth values which can be either true or false. The boolean type is simple yet powerful for conditional checks and decision-making in applications.

Boolean Type	Description	Storage Size	Example Values
boolean	Stores true, false, and null values.	1 byte	`true`, `false`, `NULL`

7. Enumerated Types

Enumerated types (enums) allow us to define a data type with a static, ordered set of values. This is useful for situations where a column must contain one of a limited set of predefined values enhancing data integrity and readability.

Enumerated Type	Description	Storage Size	Example Values
enum	A user-defined type that consists of a static, ordered set of values.	Variable	`'small'`, `'medium'`, `'large'`

8. Geometric Types

Geometric types in PostgreSQL are used to store two-dimensional geometric data. These types are ideal for applications involving spatial data, such as geographic information systems (GIS), computer graphics, and geometric modeling.

Geometric Type	Description	Storage Size	Example Values
point	Represents a point in a 2D space (x, y).	16 bytes	`(1, 2)`, `(3.5, 4.5)`
line	Represents an infinite line in 2D space.	32 bytes	`line(1, 2)`
lseg	Represents a line segment in 2D space.	32 bytes	`lseg((1, 2), (3, 4))`
box	Represents a rectangular box in 2D space.	32 bytes	`box((1, 2), (3, 4))`
path	Represents a path (open or closed) in 2D space.	Variable	`path((1, 2), (3, 4), (5, 6))`
polygon	Represents a polygon in 2D space.	Variable	`polygon((1, 1), (2, 2), (1, 2))`
circle	Represents a circle in 2D space (center, radius).	32 bytes	`circle((1, 1), 5)`

Conclusion

In conclusion, PostgreSQL's extensive range of data types equips developers with the tools to store and manage various kinds of data effectively. Understanding these data types is crucial for creating efficient database designs, enhancing performance, and ensuring data integrity.

PostgreSQL - Boolean Data Type

RajuKumar19

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Article Tags :

PostgreSQL - Data Types

PostgreSQL Data Types

1. Numeric Type

2. Monetary Type

3. Character Types

4. Binary Types

5. Date/Time Types

6. Boolean Types

7. Enumerated Types

8. Geometric Types

Conclusion

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