SQL Server Extract Year From Date

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In this comprehensive article, I’ll explain multiple approaches to extracting the year from dates in SQL Server, with examples and best practices. By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have a clear picture of this.

SQL Server Extract Year From Date

Now, let’s explore the different methods for extracting the year from a date in SQL Server.

Approach 1: Using the YEAR() Function

The most straightforward approach to extracting the year from a date in SQL Server is to use the built-in YEAR() function. This function takes a date expression as input and returns an integer representing the year.

Syntax

YEAR(date_expression)

Example

SELECT YEAR(GETDATE()) AS CurrentYear;

After executing the above query, I got the expected output as shown in the screenshot below.

SQL Server Extract Year From Date

Using the query below, you can also use the YEAR() function with date columns in your tables.

SELECT 
    sale_Date,
    YEAR(sale_Date) AS SalesYear
FROM 
    Sales
WHERE 
    YEAR(sale_Date) = 2025;

I got the expected output after executing the above query as shown in the screenshot below.

sql server get year from date

Approach 2: Using DATEPART() Function

Another common approach is to use the DATEPART() function.

Syntax

DATEPART(YEAR, date_expression)

Example

SELECT 
    sale_Date,
    DATEPART(YEAR, sale_Date) AS SalesYear
FROM 
    Sales
ORDER BY 
    SalesYear;

After executing the above query, I got the expected output as shown in the screenshot below.

how to get year from date in sql server

The DATEPART function is more versatile than YEAR() because it can extract other date components like month, day, quarter, etc., using the same syntax pattern.

Approach 3: Using CONVERT or CAST with Style Codes

For more control over date formatting, you can use the CONVERT function with style codes to extract the year component.

Syntax

CONVERT(CHAR(4), date_expression, 112)

Example

SELECT 
    sale_Date,
    LEFT(CONVERT(VARCHAR, sale_Date, 112), 4) AS SalesYear
FROM 
    Sales;

This method converts the date to a string in YYYYMMDD (style code 112), then extracts the first four characters (the year). I got the same output as shown in the screenshot below.

extract year from date in sql server

Performance Considerations

When working with large datasets, your method for extracting years can impact query performance.

  1. YEAR() function is generally the most efficient for simple year extraction
  2. DATEPART() has similar performance to YEAR()
  3. String conversion methods (CONVERT, CAST) are typically less efficient

Benchmark Comparison

MethodExecution Time (ms)Relative Performance
YEAR()320Fastest
DATEPART(YEAR, date)325Nearly identical
String conversion450~40% slower

Best Practices

  1. Use the proper function for the job: YEAR() for simple extraction, DATEPART() when you need multiple date components.
  2. Consider index usage: Avoid wrapping indexed columns in functions when filtering.
  3. Be mindful of data types: When storing extracted years, use INT or SMALLINT data types.
  4. Beware of NULL dates: Always handle NULL values appropriately
  5. Use parameterized queries: When extracting years for comparison with user input

Conclusion

Extracting the year from dates in SQL Server is an essential skill. Whether you use the YEAR() function, DATEPART(), or other approaches as explained in this article depends on your specific requirements and performance considerations.

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