SQL CHAR Function Use and Examples

Overview

The CHAR function is used to get the actual character when the ASCII value is provided.

Explanation

Syntax

CHAR(value)

Simple CHAR Example

SELECT CHAR(49) 
SELECT CHAR(50) 
SELECT CHAR(51) 
SELECT CHAR(65) 
SELECT CHAR(66)
SELECT CHAR(67)

We get the following values:

1
2
3
A
B
C

Get List of All CHAR Values and Integer Value

The following will get a list of the CHAR value and the corresponding character.

DECLARE @counter INT = 0
CREATE TABLE #CharValues ([char] nchar(1), [value] int)
WHILE (@counter <= 255 )
BEGIN
   BEGIN TRY
      INSERT INTO #CharValues
      SELECT CHAR(@counter), @counter 
      SET @counter = @counter + 1
   END TRY
   BEGIN CATCH;
      SET @counter = @counter + 1
      IF @counter > 255
      BEGIN
         BREAK
      END
   END CATCH
END
SELECT [value], [char] FROM #CharValues
DROP TABLE #CharValues

Here are a few rows from the query results.

Additional Information

• SQL Server Char Function and Reference Guide – this includes a table of values
• SQL ASCII

Greg Robidoux

Greg Robidoux has been working with databases for 35+ years with extensive hands on SQL Server experience from version 6.5 to 2025. He has authored over 250 technical articles and delivered several presentations online and at various conventions. Greg is also the President and founder of Edgewood Solutions, a technology services company delivering services and solutions for Microsoft SQL Server.