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Home Interviews Difference between RANK() vs DENSE_RANK(). – MindStick
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1 Answers

ICSM Computer
ICSM Computer 04 May 2026
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The difference between RANK() and DENSE_RANK() is how they handle duplicate values when assigning ranks.

RANK():

  • Assigns the same rank to equal values
  • Skips the next rank(s) after a tie

Example:

SELECT name, score,
       RANK() OVER (ORDER BY score DESC) AS rank
FROM students;

Result:

Score | Rank
100 | 1
90 | 2
90 | 2
80 | 4

Here, rank 3 is skipped because two rows share rank 2.

DENSE_RANK():

  • Assigns the same rank to equal values
  • Does not skip ranks

Example:

SELECT name, score,
       DENSE_RANK() OVER (ORDER BY score DESC) AS dense_rank
FROM students;

Result:

Score | Dense Rank
100 | 1
90 | 2
90 | 2
80 | 3

Here, ranks continue without gaps.

Key difference:

  • RANK(): gaps in ranking after duplicates
  • DENSE_RANK(): no gaps in ranking

When to use:

  • Use RANK() when ranking should reflect positions with gaps (like sports rankings: 1, 2, 2, 4)
  • Use DENSE_RANK() when you want continuous ranking without gaps (1, 2, 2, 3)
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