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SQLite 3 reference · Math Functions

SQLite RANDOM() Function

Return a random 64-bit signed integer. Use abs(random()) % n or ORDER BY random() for random choices.

SQLite 3

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Syntax

random()

Return value

A random integer between -9223372036854775808 and 9223372036854775807.

Examples

A random dice rollTry it yourself
SELECT typeof(random()) AS type,
       abs(random()) % 6 + 1 BETWEEN 1 AND 6 AS dice_in_range;

Output

type | dice_in_range
integer | 1
Pick random rowsTry it yourself
SELECT count(*) AS picked
FROM (SELECT name FROM products ORDER BY random() LIMIT 3);

Output

picked
3

ORDER BY random() LIMIT n sorts the whole table, which is fine for small tables but slow on large ones. It isn't suitable for anything security-related.

In other languages

  • ABS() · Return the absolute value of a number, so abs(-7) is 7. NULL gives NULL and text that isn't a number gives 0.0.
  • SQL Aggregate Functions · tutorial

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