The Sum function

• The SQL sum() function is used to calculate the sum of the given numeric column.
• You can use the sum function in the simple select statement with the where clause.
• You can also use the sum aggregate function with the group by clause to return aggregated group values.

See Sum example online

Syntax of using sum in SQL

The general syntax of using the Sum function is:

Select sum(numeric_column_name) from table_name

Where col_name = value

Examples of using SQL sum function

Following examples show how to use the Sum function. In our examples, we will use the tbl_emp_salary_paid table that stores employees salaries. That means salaries paid every month to employees are stored in this table.

The data in the table is shown along with each example to make it easier to understand. Simply click on demo link.

Example of using Sum SQL in simple select statement

In this example, we will calculate the total salaries paid to all employees. We will use the Sum function in the simple select statement and query the tbl_emp_salary_paid table.

The SQL select with Sum query:

Demo Table with SQL select sum

SUM with Group by example

This query will return the total salary paid to each employee by using the Sum function which is used with the group by clause.

The SUM – group by query:

Demo Table with SUM SQL and group by

As you can see in above graphic, two queries are shown. The first query will fetch all records from the table. The other query is using the Sum aggregate function of SQL with the group by clause to retrieve each employee total salary.