mysql_num_rows() function to Get number of records or rows in mysql table

We can get the number of rows or records present in a table by using mysql_num_rows() function. This function is to be used along with mysql select query. We can add condition by using mysql where clause to the select query and get the conditional rows. This function is widely used in different php scripts and you can see the use of this function in PHP paging tutorial in our php tutorial section.

It is recommended by PHP.NET to use PDO_MySQL or MySQLI extensions. The old MySQL extension was deprecated in PHP 5.5.0 and was removed in PHP 7

MYSQLI
mysqli_num_rows()

Please note that this can't be used along with update, delete, insert commands, for this mysql_affected_rows is to be used. You can use count command also to read the number of records. Here is the sample code for mysql_num_rows()

Counting rows by PDO

Query to Count records

$query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM student");

$number=mysql_num_rows($query);
echo "Total records in Student table= ". $number;

PHP MySQL functions Number of Fields

Subhendu Mohapatra

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I write and maintain practical tutorials on Python, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, jQuery, and web development at plus2net. The tutorials focus on clear explanations, working examples, and code that readers can test and adapt while learning.

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Tim	05-03-2009
The result offered in the main article requires transferring all of the data from the table across the wire to PHP. A much less intensive approach to getting the number of records in a table is: $query = mysql_query("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM student"); list($number) = mysql_fetch_row($query); echo "Total records in Student table=$number";

Marcus	08-04-2009
Also, to be less intensive all you need to do is select a single column with the least amount of information such as the primary key column: $query = mysql_query("SELECT key FROM student"); $number = mysql_num_row($query); echo "Total records in Student table=".strval($number)

JSC	06-05-2009
Looks like the ultimate efficient count would be "SELECT COUNT(key) FROM student" :)

konrad	07-09-2009
To Marcus: Little mistake - should be: mysql_num_rows not mysql_num_row

webmaster	17-04-2010
I used Tim's example. Very helpful. I took me forever to find a decent example.

Shreeram N Venkatesh	04-08-2010
how could we see the table contents from a database using mysql in the dos prompt?

lovely	21-03-2011
how to use the fetch_array in select statement?

DingDong	16-06-2011
Also, COUNT(key) is not the ultimate efficient count. That would be COUNT(*). The first count will require a table scan, but the second will not since it is taken from an already existing cache on the number of rows.

Akhlas Ahmad	17-01-2014
Thanks. Such useful site. Bookmarked it.

npinelo	14-03-2015
When I use $query = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM books WERE ves=es"); I get "mysql_num_rows() is not valid MySQL result resource", how can I fix this?

MSQL	11-05-2009
prefer COUNT(key) AS Total

arnab	07-07-2009
very useful site.

smo	15-03-2015
Change the query part like this "Select * FROM books WHERE ves='es' "

bienvenue semakoma	12-03-2016
how can i solve these problems: Warning: mysql_num_rows() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /htdocs/functionresult.php on line 5 result(s)found . Warning: mysql_fetch_array() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /htdocs/functionresult.php on line 7

deepak singh	18-07-2016
how to count user online and offline ? show count?

Gokul	05-10-2016
consider, mysql_num_rows returns certain number of rows from db, here how to select a perticular one row?

smo1234	07-10-2016
mysql_num_rows returns total number of rows , it is not returning rows , so you cant select particular row from it. To get particular row you have to use WHERE condition

Finding total number of rows in a table

Subhendu Mohapatra