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MySQL ABS() Function

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In MySQL, the ABS() function returns the absolute value of a specified number.

ABS() Syntax

Here is the syntax of MySQL ABS() function:

ABS(number)

Parameters

number
Required. The number whose absolute value is to be determined.

Return value

ABS() returns the absolute value of its argument, or NULL if the argument is NULL. The result type is derived from the argument type. The minimum signed BIGINT value has no positive counterpart in the signed range, so ABS(-9223372036854775808) returns an error. See MySQL’s mathematical function reference and our guide to ABS() type behavior and edge cases.

  • If number is a string, MySQL evaluates it in a numeric context. A partially numeric string can be truncated during conversion, and nonnumeric text can convert to 0 with a warning. Validate or explicitly cast imported text instead of relying on implicit conversion; see type conversion in expression evaluation.
  • If number is NULL, ABS() returns NULL.

ABS() Examples

SELECT
    ABS(100),
    ABS(-100),
    ABS('100'),
    ABS('-100'),
    ABS('-100A'),
    ABS('A100'),
    ABS(NULL)\G

output

*************************** 1\. row ***************************
    ABS(100): 100
   ABS(-100): 100
  ABS('100'): 100
 ABS('-100'): 100
ABS('-100A'): 100
 ABS('A100'): 0
   ABS(NULL): NULL