| title | sp_databases (Transact-SQL) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| description | sp_databases lists databases that either reside in an instance of SQL Server, or are accessible through a database gateway. | ||
| author | markingmyname | ||
| ms.author | maghan | ||
| ms.reviewer | randolphwest | ||
| ms.date | 06/23/2025 | ||
| ms.service | sql | ||
| ms.subservice | system-objects | ||
| ms.topic | reference | ||
| f1_keywords |
|
||
| helpviewer_keywords |
|
||
| dev_langs |
|
[!INCLUDE SQL Server]
Lists databases that either reside in an instance of the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] or are accessible through a database gateway.
:::image type="icon" source="../../includes/media/topic-link-icon.svg" border="false"::: Transact-SQL syntax conventions
sp_databases
[ ; ]
None.
| Column name | Data type | Description |
|---|---|---|
DATABASE_NAME |
sysname | Name of the database. In the [!INCLUDE ssDE], this column represents the database name as stored in the sys.databases catalog view. |
DATABASE_SIZE |
int | Size of database, in kilobytes. |
REMARKS |
varchar(254) | For the [!INCLUDE ssDE], this field always returns NULL. |
Database names that are returned can be used as parameters in the USE statement to change the current database context.
DATABASE_SIZE returns a NULL value for databases larger than 2.15 TB.
sp_databases has no equivalent in Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).
Requires CREATE DATABASE, or ALTER ANY DATABASE, or VIEW ANY DEFINITION permission, and must have access permission to the database. Can't be denied VIEW ANY DEFINITION permission.
The following example shows executing sp_databases.
USE master;
GO
EXECUTE sp_databases;