<p>MySQL raises ER_WRONG_SIZE_NUMBER when a numeric size value or a K/M/G-suffixed value is written in an invalid format inside a SQL statement or configuration file.</p>
<p>MySQL Error 1531: ER_WRONG_SIZE_NUMBER means the server could not parse a size value like 10M or 2048 because the format is wrong. Use an unsigned integer or an integer immediately followed by K, M, or G with no spaces to resolve the issue.</p>
A size parameter was incorrectly specified, either number
MySQL throws Error 1531 when it encounters a size parameter that does not match the required numeric syntax. The server expects either a plain integer or an integer followed directly by K, M, or G.
The error stops the statement or configuration from executing, preventing table creation, alteration, or startup depending on where the bad value appears.
You typically see ER_WRONG_SIZE_NUMBER while running CREATE TABLE, ALTER TABLE, or SET statements that accept size options such as MAX_ROWS, AVG_ROW_LENGTH, or when MySQL reads options like innodb_log_file_size from my.cnf.
Any space, negative number, fractional value, or unsupported suffix inside the size token triggers the error immediately.
Blocking DDL leaves tables uncreated or half-modified and can halt deployment scripts. Invalid my.cnf entries prevent the MySQL service from starting, causing downtime.
Correcting the size value restores normal execution and avoids production outages.
Most cases stem from a typo: an extra space between the number and suffix or an unsupported unit like MB instead of M. Negative or zero sizes also fail validation.
Copy-pasting examples that use whitespace or lower-case units frequently triggers the problem in automated migrations.
Edit the statement or configuration so the size token is an unsigned integer or integer+unit with no spaces, commas, or decimals. Valid examples: 1024, 256K, 64M, 2G.
Restart the server if the fix is in my.cnf, or rerun the corrected SQL statement. Galaxy users can rely on the AI copilot to flag invalid tokens before execution.
CREATE TABLE failing with MAX_ROWS=10 MB: remove the space (10M). innodb_log_file_size=256 MB in my.cnf: change to 256M.
ALTER TABLE t MODIFY data VARBINARY(-1): change to a positive length or VARBINARY(255).
Always copy size literals from official docs, avoid inserting spaces, and validate configuration with mysqld --verbose --help.
Galaxy’s inline linting flags invalid numeric tokens, letting you correct them before committing code.
ER_TOO_BIG_FIELDLENGTH occurs when a column length exceeds the storage engine maximum; check engine limits.
ER_INVALID_DEFAULT requires fixing an invalid default value. Both can be caught by Galaxy’s real-time syntax checker.
A space between the number and unit, such as 10 MB, violates MySQL’s grammar.
Using KB or MB instead of K or M causes immediate failure.
Sizes must be positive integers; negative or 0 triggers the error.
Fractions (1.5G) and thousands separators (1,024M) are rejected.
Bad values in my.cnf stop the server during startup.
Raised when column size exceeds storage limits. Reduce the column length or switch data type.
Occurs on invalid default values. Provide a valid literal or remove the DEFAULT clause.
Triggered by incorrect column definition syntax. Check data type and modifiers.
No. It also appears when MySQL parses startup options like innodb_log_file_size.
Yes. MySQL accepts lowercase k, m, and g, but following the docs with uppercase avoids confusion.
Yes. Each variable or option has a documented maximum. For example, max_allowed_packet tops at 1G before MySQL 8.0.28.
Galaxy’s editor highlights invalid numeric tokens, and the AI copilot suggests the corrected syntax instantly.
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