Articles/SQL

IFNULL() in MySQL — How It Works

What the MySQL IFNULL() function does, with an example.

Published October 21, 2026

IFNULL() returns an alternative value if the given expression is NULL.

Key points

  • Part of standard SQL functions available in MySQL for working with query results

Example

SELECT IFNULL(phone, 'No phone on file') FROM users;
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