# Subtraction Operator (-)

## Syntax

```sql
-
```

## Description

Subtraction. The operator is also used as the unary minus for changing sign.

If both operands are integers, the result is calculated with [BIGINT](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/data-types/numeric-data-types/bigint) precision. If either integer is unsigned, the result is also an unsigned integer, unless the `NO_UNSIGNED_SUBTRACTION` [SQL\_MODE](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/server-management/variables-and-modes/sql_mode) is enabled, in which case the result is always signed.

For real or string operands, the operand with the highest precision determines the result precision.

## Examples

```sql
SELECT 96-9;
+------+
| 96-9 |
+------+
|   87 |
+------+

SELECT 15-17;
+-------+
| 15-17 |
+-------+
|    -2 |
+-------+

SELECT 3.66 + 1.333;
+--------------+
| 3.66 + 1.333 |
+--------------+
|        4.993 |
+--------------+
```

Unary minus:

```sql
SELECT - (3+5);
+---------+
| - (3+5) |
+---------+
|      -8 |
+---------+
```

## See Also

* [Type Conversion](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/type-conversion)
* [Addition Operator (+)](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/operators/arithmetic-operators/addition-operator)
* [Multiplication Operator (\*)](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/operators/arithmetic-operators/multiplication-operator)
* [Division Operator (/)](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/operators/arithmetic-operators/division-operator)
* [Operator Precedence](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/operators/operator-precedence)

<sub>*This page is licensed: CC BY-SA / Gnu FDL*</sub>

{% @marketo/form formId="4316" %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-structure/operators/arithmetic-operators/subtraction-operator.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.