SQL Server Data Type Reference
A searchable reference of SQL Server data types - numeric, character, date/time, binary, uniqueidentifier, and XML.
Search or browse SQL Server's data types by category, including uniqueidentifier and native XML storage.
SQL Server has no standalone native JSON data type - JSON is stored as NVARCHAR text with built-in functions to query it, unlike PostgreSQL's dedicated JSONB type.
What Is This Reference?
A searchable list of SQL Server's data types - numeric, character (including the Unicode-aware NVARCHAR), date/time, binary, the uniqueidentifier (GUID) type, and native XML storage.
Why Use This Tool?
SQL Server's VARCHAR vs NVARCHAR distinction (non-Unicode vs Unicode storage) and its lack of a dedicated JSON type (unlike PostgreSQL) trip up developers coming from other databases. This reference clarifies both.
How to Use It
- Search for a type name or keyword.
- Review its description and typical use case.
Important Notes
SQL Server does not have a standalone native JSON data type the way PostgreSQL has JSONB - JSON is stored as NVARCHAR text, with built-in functions (JSON_VALUE, JSON_QUERY, OPENJSON) to query it.