This post is part of a series on the numeric data types found in PostgreSQL. Read on to learn all about the integer type. Write a comment if you have any questions or corrections!

Integer Types

Name	Storage size	Range
smallint	2 bytes	-32,768 to 32,767
integer	4 bytes	-2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647
bigint	8 bytes	-9,223,372,036,854,775,808 to +9,223,372,036,854,775,807

The integer type is used to store whole numbers, i.e. numbers without decimals or fractions after them. Examples: 1, 3,305, or 100,242. Each integer type has a range of possible values, as specified in the above table. If you attempt to store a value outside of that range, PostgreSQL will throw an error.

The integer type is the most common choice. According to the PostgreSQL docs, this is because it "offers the best balance between range, storage size, and performance". smallint is used mostly when disk space is a concern, and bigint is recommended whenever the integer range isn't large enough. I would also add that, if you know a number will stay within the smallint range, I don't see a reason not to use it. Save on those storage bytes!

integer can also be shortened to int.

More Numeric Types

Learn about the other numeric data types in one of the following posts:

• Arbitrary Precision Numbers
• Floating-Point Numbers
• Serial Numbers