Checking SQL Server Version

To check which SQL Server version and edition you are running, you can use the following methods:

1. Using SQL Query (Most Reliable)

Run the following SQL query in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or any query tool:

SELECT @@VERSION;

This will return a string containing the SQL Server version, edition, and service pack (if any).

2. Using ServerProperty Function (More Detailed)

SELECT  
    SERVERPROPERTY('ProductVersion') AS Version,  -- Major.Minor.Build
    SERVERPROPERTY('ProductLevel') AS ProductLevel,  -- RTM, SP1, SP2, etc.
    SERVERPROPERTY('Edition') AS Edition,  -- Enterprise, Standard, Express, etc.
    SERVERPROPERTY('EngineEdition') AS EngineEdition;  -- 3 = Standard/Enterprise, 5 = Express

3. Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

Open SSMS and connect to the instance.
In Object Explorer, right-click the server name and select Properties.
Look for the “Product” and “Version” fields in the General tab.

4. Using Command Prompt (For Installed Versions)

You can also check installed SQL Server versions using Command Prompt:

sqlcmd -S <server_name> -E -Q "SELECT @@VERSION"

osql -S <server_name> -E -Q "SELECT @@VERSION"

Interpreting the Version

The @@VERSION query will return output like:

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (RTM) - 15.0.2000.5 (X64)
    Oct  8 2019 19:40:22
    Copyright (C) 2019 Microsoft Corporation
    Enterprise Edition (64-bit) on Windows Server 2019

Here:

15.0.2000.5 → SQL Server 2019
Enterprise Edition (64-bit) → SQL Server Edition
RTM → No service pack installed

SQL Server Version Numbers

Version Number	SQL Server Version
8.x	SQL Server 2000
9.x	SQL Server 2005
10.x	SQL Server 2008
10.5.x	SQL Server 2008 R2
11.x	SQL Server 2012
12.x	SQL Server 2014
13.x	SQL Server 2016
14.x	SQL Server 2017
15.x	SQL Server 2019
16.x	SQL Server 2022