Learn
/
Redshift
September 16, 2024

Redshift Data Types

Learn about the character, numeric, and other data types supported by AWS Redshift. Understand how to declare data types and best practices for table design.
Dexter Chu
Product Marketing

Get started with Secoda

See why hundreds of industry leaders trust Secoda to unlock their data's full potential.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

How to evaluate a data catalog

See why hundreds of industry leaders trust Secoda to unlock their data's full potential.

Get the guide

What are the data types supported by Amazon Redshift?

Amazon Redshift supports a multitude of data types. These can be broadly categorized into character types, numeric types, and other types.

Character Types

Character types in Redshift include fixed-length character strings (CHAR) and variable-length character strings (VARCHAR).

Numeric Types

Numeric types in Redshift include signed two-byte integers (SMALLINT), signed four-byte integers (INTEGER), signed eight-byte integers (BIGINT), exact numeric (DECIMAL), single precision floating-point numbers (REAL), and double precision floating-point numbers (DOUBLE PRECISION).

Other Types

Other types in Redshift include Boolean (BOOLEAN), date (DATE), time (TIME), timestamp (TIMESTAMP), timestampz (TIMESTAMPZ), VARBYTE, and HLLSKETCH.

What are the character types in Amazon Redshift?

Character types in Redshift include fixed-length character strings (CHAR) and variable-length character strings (VARCHAR). These types are essential for storing textual data.

  • CHAR: This data type is used for storing fixed-length character strings. The maximum length is 4096 characters.
  • VARCHAR: This data type is used for storing variable-length character strings. The maximum length is 65535 characters.

What numeric types does Amazon Redshift support?

Numeric types in Redshift include SMALLINT, INTEGER, BIGINT, DECIMAL, REAL, and DOUBLE PRECISION. These types are used for storing numerical data.

  • SMALLINT: This data type is used for storing signed two-byte integers.
  • INTEGER: This data type is used for storing signed four-byte integers.
  • BIGINT: This data type is used for storing signed eight-byte integers.

What are some other data types in Amazon Redshift?

Other data types in Redshift include BOOLEAN, DATE, TIME, TIMESTAMP, TIMESTAMPZ, VARBYTE, and HLLSKETCH. These types cater to various data storage needs.

  • BOOLEAN: This data type is used for storing true or false values.
  • DATE: This data type is used for storing date values.
  • TIME: This data type is used for storing time values.

What are some best practices for designing tables in Redshift?

Best practices for designing tables in Redshift include using automatic compression, defining constraints, using the smallest possible column size, and using date/time data types for date columns.

  • Automatic Compression: This feature optimizes storage utilization and improves query performance.
  • Defining Constraints: Constraints ensure data integrity and can improve query performance.
  • Smallest Possible Column Size: Using the smallest possible column size can save storage space and improve query performance.

What are the best practices for loading data into Redshift?

Best practices for loading data into Redshift include using a COPY command, compressing data files, verifying data files before and after a load, using a multi-row insert, using a bulk insert, and loading data in sort key order.

  • COPY Command: The COPY command is the most efficient way to load large amounts of data into Redshift.
  • Compressing Data Files: Compressing data files before loading can save storage space and improve load speed.
  • Verifying Data Files: Verifying data files before and after a load ensures data integrity.
In this story
This is also a heading
This is a heading

Keep reading

View all
Data Dictionary

Challenges of managing a data dictionary

Discover the top challenges of managing a data dictionary and learn effective solutions to ensure accuracy, scalability, and organization-wide adoption.

Data Dictionary

Data Dictionary: Industry Use Cases and Examples

Discover how a data dictionary streamlines data management across industries, resolving conflicts, enhancing governance, and improving operational efficiency.

Data Catalog

Data search showdown: A detailed comparison of Secoda vs Atlan search capabilities

Learn more about Secoda and Atlan's enterprise data search platforms, exploring how their different approaches to helping teams find and utilize data assets across organizations make them suitable for different types of companies' needs.

Get started in minutes

Built for data teams, designed for everyone so you can get more from your data stack.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
CustomersCareersDocumentationGlossary

Product

Data catalogData dictionaryData lineageData sharingData ticketingData governanceData privacyData observability

Solutions

Data LeadData EngineerData AnalystData ConsumersGovernance ManagerBusiness OperationsProduct Managers

Use cases

Metadata managementData onboardingData enablementData documentationSelf service business intelligence

Resources

PricingCustomersBlogGuidesDocumentationBuyers guideSecoda vs. AtlanSecoda vs. Open SourceSecoda vs. CastorSecoda vs. Select StarSecoda vs. CollibraROI calculatorData enablement whitepaperExplore

Company

AboutContact usCareersGDPR readinessSecurityBrand

Social

LinkedInXInstagramYoutube

© 2025 Secoda, Inc. All rights reserved.
By using this website, you accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.