MySQL IS NULL Operator (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 26 Mar, 2026

The IS NULL operator in MySQL identifies records with missing values, helping ensure accurate queries and maintain data consistency.

• Supports precise querying by allowing conditions based on missing values.
• Helps maintain clean and reliable data by identifying incomplete records.
• Enables handling of complex query scenarios involving NULL conditions.

**Syntax:

SELECT column1, column2, ... FROM table_name WHERE column_name IS NULL;

Working with the IS NULL Operator

It demonstrates how the IS NULL operator can be applied in different MySQL operations. First, we create a demo table on which the IS NULL operator will be applied:

Orders Table

Example 1: IS NULL with SELECT Statement

This example shows how to retrieve records where a column contains NULL values. It helps identify rows with missing data.

**Query:

SELECT order_id, customer_name, order_date FROM Orders WHERE shipping_date IS NULL;

**Output:

• Filters records where shipping_date has no value.
• Returns orders that have not been shipped yet.

Example 2: IS NULL with COUNT() Function

This example demonstrates how to count rows with NULL values. It is useful for analyzing incomplete data.

**Query:

SELECT COUNT(*) FROM Orders WHERE shipping_date IS NULL;

**Output:

• Counts total records where shipping_date is NULL .
• Helps measure how many orders are pending shipment.

Example 3: IS NULL with UPDATE Statement

This example shows how to update records with NULL values. It is useful for replacing missing data with valid values.

**Query:

UPDATE Orders SET shipping_date = '2024-07-10' WHERE shipping_date IS NULL

SELECT * FROM Orders;

**Output:

• Updates NULL values with a specified date.
• Ensures missing shipping dates are properly filled.

Example 4: IS NULL with DELETE Statement

This example demonstrates how to remove records with NULL values. It helps clean up incomplete or unwanted data.

**Query:

DELETE FROM Orders WHERE shipping_date IS NULL;

SELECT * FROM Orders;

**Output:

• Deletes rows where shipping_date is NULL.
• Helps maintain a clean and accurate dataset.