SQL Server RADIANS() Function

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

Introduction to the SQL Server RADIANS() function #

The RADIANS() is a math function that allows you to convert degrees to radians.

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

RADIANS(numeric_expression)Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

In this syntax,

• numeric_expression is a number in degrees that you want to convert to radians.

The RADIANS() function returns the numeric_expression converted to radians.

The return type of the RADIANS() 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 numeric_expression is NULL, the RADIANS() function returns NULL.

SQL Server RADIANS() function examples #

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

1) Basic RADIANS() function example #

The following statement uses the RADIANS() function to convert 180 degrees to its equivalent in radians, resulting in PI value:

SELECT RADIANS(180.00) radians;Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Output:

      radians
-------------------
 3.141592653589793Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

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

First, create a new table called measurements to store angle data in radians:

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

Second, insert some rows into the measurements table:

INSERT INTO measurements(angle_degrees) 
VALUES
    (45),
    (60),
    (90),
    (NULL);Code language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Third, retrieve data from the measurements table:

SELECT * FROM measurements;

Output:

id | angle_degrees
---+--------------
1  | 45.00
2  | 60.00
3  | 90.00
4  | NULLCode language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Third, convert the values in the angle_degrees column to radians using the RADIANS() function:

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

Output:

id | angle_degrees | angle_radians
---+---------------+---------------------
1  | 45.00         | 0.785398163397448279
2  | 60.00         | 1.047197551196597631
3  | 90.00         | 1.570796326794896558
4  | NULL          | NULLCode language: SQL (Structured Query Language) (sql)

Summary #

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