BigInt(20) vs. Int(20) in MySQL: What's the Real Difference?

Understanding Data Types in MySQL: BigInt(20) vs Int(20)

Working with vast volumes of data in MySQL often requires a keen understanding of data types to effectively store and retrieve information. When dealing with integer values, two commonly used types are BigInt(20) and Int(20), prompting the question of their fundamental differences.

Contrary to common misconceptions, the size indicated in their names (20) does not directly correspond to the storage capacity. Instead, it represents a display width hint that has no impact on stored data.

Int vs BigInt: Storage Capacity and Range

Int and BigInt represent signed integers of varying sizes. Int is a 4-byte integer, while BigInt is an 8-byte integer. This difference in size translates to a significantly wider range of values supported by BigInt compared to Int. Int can store values within the range of -2³² to 2³²-1, while BigInt can accommodate values from -2⁶⁴ to 2⁶⁴-1.

Use Cases

Choosing between Int and BigInt depends on the specific requirements of your application. Int is suitable for storing small to medium-sized integer values that fall within its defined range. BigInt is the ideal choice when dealing with very large integer values outside the range of Int. For example, BigInt is commonly used to store financial data, tracking transactions that exceed the capacity of Int.

ZEROFILL and Display Width Hint

The display width hint provided in Int(20) and BigInt(20) only affects the ZEROFILL option. When specified with ZEROFILL, it forces the displayed value to be padded with leading zeros to the specified width. This option is primarily used for aesthetic purposes to align numeric data in tabular displays.

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