PostgreSQL Error - 2201W invalid_row_count_in_limit_clause Error Explained

What does invalid_row_count_in_limit_clause mean and how do I fix it?

PostgreSQL throws error 2201W when the LIMIT clause contains a value that is negative, NULL, or cannot be cast to a positive integer.

The planner expects LIMIT to cap the number of output rows.

When that count is not a valid non-negative integer, execution halts to protect query integrity.

What Causes This Error?

Using a placeholder parameter that resolves to -1 or NULL triggers the error immediately after parsing.

Concatenating text or casting incorrectly (e.g., LIMIT '10a') also produces the same condition.

Dynamic SQL that substitutes a variable without validation is a frequent root cause in application code.

How to Fix invalid_row_count_in_limit_clause

Always pass a non-negative integer literal or parameter to LIMIT.

Validate external inputs in your code before constructing SQL.

Cast safely with ::int and COALESCE to default missing values to 0 or a sensible maximum.

Common Scenarios and Solutions

Pagination endpoints can send -1 to fetch “all” rows. Replace LIMIT -1 with OFFSET 0 or remove LIMIT entirely.

Stored procedures sometimes accept LIMIT as TEXT.

Convert inside the function: LIMIT GREATEST(input::int,0).

Best Practices to Avoid This Error

Use CHECK constraints or application validation to ensure numeric, non-negative pagination parameters.

Leverage parameterized queries in Galaxy’s SQL editor; the UI highlights non-integer LIMIT values before execution.

Related Errors and Solutions

ERROR 2201X invalid_row_count_in_result_offset arises from bad OFFSET counts; fix it the same way.

ERROR 42601 syntax error at or near "LIMIT" appears when LIMIT is misplaced; review query ordering.

.