SQL Server DEGREES() Function

Summary: in this tutorial, you will learn how to use the SQL Server DEGREES() function to convert radians to degrees.

Introduction to the SQL Server DEGREES() function #

In SQL Server, the DEGREES() function is a math function that allows you to convert radians to degrees.

The following shows the syntax of the DEGREES() function:

DEGREES(numeric_expresion)Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

In this syntax, the numeric_expresion is a value in radians that you want to convert to degrees.

The DEGREES() function returns the value of the numeric_expresion converted to degrees.

The return type of the DEGREES() function depends on the input type of the numeric_expression.

The following table shows the input type of the numeric_expression and the corresponding return type:

If the radians_value is NULL, the DEGREES() function returns NULL.

SQL Server DEGREES() function examples #

Let’s explore some examples of using the DEGREES() function.

1) Basic DEGREES() function examples #

The following statement uses the DEGREES() function to convert 1.00 radian to its equivalent degrees:

SELECT DEGREES(1.00) degrees;Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Output:

degrees
---------------------
57.295779513082322865
Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

The following statement uses the DEGREES() function to convert the value of π (pi) radians to its equivalent in degrees:

SELECT DEGREES(PI()) degrees;Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Output:

degrees
-------
180.0Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Note that the PI() function returns the value of π (pi) radians.

2) Using the DEGREES() function with table data #

First, create a new table called measurements to store radian data:

CREATE TABLE measurements (
    id INT IDENTITY PRIMARY KEY,
    angle_radians DEC(10,2)
);Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Second, insert some rows into the measurements table:

INSERT INTO measurements (angle_radians) 
VALUES
    (2*PI()),
    (PI()),
    (PI()/2),
    (NULL);Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Third, convert radians stored in the measurements table to degrees using the DEGREES() function:

SELECT
  id,
  angle_radians,
  DEGREES(angle_radians) AS angle_degrees
FROM
  measurements;Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Output:

id | angle_radians | angle_degrees
---+---------------+-----------------------
1  | 6.28          | 359.817495342156973948
2  | 3.14          | 179.908747671078486974
3  | 1.57          | 89.954373835539243487
4  | NULL          | NULLCode language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Summary #

• Use the SQL Server DEGREES() function to convert radians to degrees.