RAND() Function in SQL

Last Updated : 9 Sep, 2026

The RAND() function is used to generate a random floating-point number between 0 and 1. It is commonly used to generate random values, randomize records or perform sampling in SQL queries.

Syntax

RAND(seed)

Where:

  • seed: An optional integer value used to initialize the random number generator.

Note: RAND() is supported in MySQL and SQL Server. SQLite does not provide a built-in RAND() function; it uses RANDOM() instead.

Example 1: Generate a Random Number

SELECT RAND() AS random_number;

Output:

Screenshot-2026-09-09-111344
  • The result is a random floating-point number between 0 and 1.

Example 2: Generate a Random Integer

To generate a random integer between 1 and 100, use:

SELECT FLOOR(RAND() * 100) + 1 AS random_number;

Output:

Screenshot-2026-09-09-111433

Example 3: Generate Random Values for Table Records

Consider the following employees table:

Screenshot-2026-09-09-111459

Now, generate a random number for each employee:

SELECT employee_name,
       RAND() AS random_number
FROM employees;

Output:

Screenshot-2026-09-09-111554
  • The RAND() function generates a random value for each row returned by the query.
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