How to Fix Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric in SQL Server? Example

This error comes when you try to store an out-of-range floating point value into a numeric variable. For example, if your NUMERIC or DECIMAL variable is defined as NUMERIC(5,2) then the maximum value it can hold is 999.99, if you try to store something like 1000.00 then it will throw "Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric". One of the common reasons for this error is the ignorance and misunderstanding of the NUMERIC data type. For example, many SQL Server DBAs and developers think that a NUMERIC(5,2) variable can hold a 7 digit floating point number where 5 digits are before the decimal and 2 digits are after the decimal. This is wrong.


A NUMERIC(5,2) means, the total number of digits in the value cannot exceed 5 and decimal precision is 2 digits i.e. the maximum possible value is 999.99.

Another thing SQL programmers don't know and remember about NUMERIC or DECIMAL data types in Microsoft SQL Server is that it doesn't throw this error if you specify more digits than permitted after the decimal point, instead, it does rounding for example if you store 100.999 then it will store 101.00 after rounding.


Here is an SQL query to prove these points:

DECLARE @sample NUMERIC(5,2)
SET @sample = 1000.554
SELECT @sample

Output
Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric.

Explanation: 

This time SQL Server throws the error because we are trying to store 1000 but the maximum value a NUMERIC(5,2) can hold is 999 before the decimal point. You need to increase the width of the variable to store this number e.g. making @sample NUMERIC(6,2) will solve this error as shown below.

By the way, if you are new to Microsoft SQL Server and T-SQL then I also suggest you join a comprehensive course to learn SQL Server fundamentals and how to work with T-SQL. If you need a recommendation then I suggest you go through the Microsoft SQL for Beginners online course by Brewster Knowlton on Udemy. It's a great course to start with T-SQL and SQL queries in SQL Server.

Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric in SQL Server Examples

Here are some more SQL queries which will confirm the behavior of the NUMERIC variable and its range:

DECLARE @sample NUMERIC(5,2)
SET @sample = 100.554 // no rounding because the extra digit is less than 5
SELECT @sample AS Result

Result
100.55

DECLARE @sample NUMERIC(5,2)
SET @sample = 100.555 // rounding will happen
SELECT @sample AS Result

Result
100.56


DECLARE @sample NUMERIC(5,2)
SET @sample = 100.55 // no rounding because value is under defined precision
SELECT @sample AS Result

Result
100.55


DECLARE @sample NUMERIC(5,2)
SET @sample = 100.999 // Rounding to nearest value
SELECT @sample AS Result

Result
101.00

DECLARE @sample NUMERIC(5,2)
SET @sample = 999.999 // error because after rounding value will be
                      // out-of-range for defined numeric type
SELECT @sample AS Result

Result
Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric.

That's all about "Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric in SQL Server". You can see that cause of the error is usually out-of-range value for the defined NUMERIC type. Just check the source of value and correct or increase the precision level of your column.

Always remember that NUMERIC(5,2) means a total of 5 digits with 2 digits after the decimal point, and the maximum value it can hold is 999.99. Beware of rounding due to more additional digits after the decimal point, which can also cause "Arithmetic overflow error converting numeric to data type numeric" in Microsoft SQL Server.

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