PostgreSQL Data Type Reference

What Is This Reference?

A searchable list of PostgreSQL's data types, including several types less common in other databases - native array columns, the UUID type, network address types (inet, cidr), and both JSON and the more commonly recommended JSONB.

Why Use This Tool?

PostgreSQL's richer type system offers genuinely useful options (like JSONB's indexing support, versus plain JSON) that aren't obvious if you're used to a simpler type system. This reference explains what each one is actually good for.

How to Use It

1. Search for a type name or keyword.
2. Review its description and typical use case.

Limitations

This covers commonly-used PostgreSQL types - for full behavioral detail on any one type, PostgreSQL's own documentation remains authoritative.

Choosing Types: Quick Recommendations

Example Table

CREATE TABLE orders (
    id          bigint GENERATED ALWAYS AS IDENTITY PRIMARY KEY,
    public_id   uuid NOT NULL DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
    total       numeric(12,2) NOT NULL,
    tags        text[] NOT NULL DEFAULT '{}',
    meta        jsonb NOT NULL DEFAULT '{}',
    created_at  timestamptz NOT NULL DEFAULT now()
);

gen_random_uuid() is built in from PostgreSQL 13.

Compare with the MySQL and SQL Server references, or build a table with the SQL Table Generator.