vector-functions-transact-sql.md

title	Vector Functions (Transact-SQL)
description	Vector functions perform operations on vector type allowing applications to store and manipulate vectors in SQL Server.
author	WilliamDAssafMSFT
ms.author	wiassaf
ms.reviewer	damauri, pookam, randolphwest
ms.date	11/18/2025
ms.service	sql
ms.subservice	system-objects
ms.topic	reference
ms.collection	ce-skilling-ai-copilot
ms.update-cycle	180-days
ms.custom	ignite-2025
helpviewer_keywords	vector search, system functions
dev_langs	TSQL
monikerRange	=sql-server-ver17 || =sql-server-linux-ver17 || =azuresqldb-current || =azuresqldb-mi-current || =fabric-sqldb

Vector functions

[!INCLUDE sqlserver2025-asdb-asmi-fabricsqldb]

The following scalar functions perform operations on vectors in binary format, allowing applications to store and manipulate vectors in the SQL Database Engine.

Note

Vector features are available in Azure SQL Managed Instance with the SQL Server 2025 or Always-up-to-date update policy.

All Vector functions support the Vector data type.

Function	Description
VECTOR_DISTANCE	Calculates the distance between two vectors using a specified distance metric.
VECTOR_SEARCH (preview)	Return the closest vectors to a given query vector and distance metric using an approximate vector search algorithm.
VECTOR_NORM	Takes a vector as an input and returns the norm of the vector (which is a measure of its length or magnitude) in a given norm type.
VECTOR_NORMALIZE	Takes a vector as an input and returns the normalized vector, which is a vector scaled to have a length of 1 in a given norm type. Adjusts a vector so that its length is normalized following the rules of specified norm type.
VECTORPROPERTY	Returns specific properties of a given vector.

Related content

• Vector data type
• Vector search and vector indexes in the SQL Database Engine
• Intelligent applications and AI