ERROR_SEVERITY (Transact-SQL)

2025-06-19

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW) SQL analytics endpoint in Microsoft Fabric Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric

This function returns the severity value of the error where an error occurs, if that error caused the CATCH block of a TRY...CATCH construct to execute.

Transact-SQL syntax conventions

Syntax

ERROR_SEVERITY ( )

Return types

int

Return value

When called in a CATCH block where an error occurs, ERROR_SEVERITY returns the severity value of the error that caused the CATCH block to run.

ERROR_SEVERITY returns NULL if called outside the scope of a CATCH block.

Remarks

ERROR_SEVERITY supports calls anywhere within the scope of a CATCH block.

ERROR_SEVERITY returns the error severity value of an error, regardless of how many times it runs or where it runs within the scope of the CATCH block. This contrasts with a function like @@ERROR, which only returns an error number in the statement immediately following the one that causes an error.

ERROR_SEVERITY typically operates in a nested CATCH block. ERROR_SEVERITY returns the error severity value specific to the scope of the CATCH block that referenced that CATCH block. For example, the CATCH block of an outer TRY...CATCH construct could have an inner TRY...CATCH construct. Inside that inner CATCH block, ERROR_SEVERITY returns the severity value of the error that invoked the inner CATCH block. If ERROR_SEVERITY runs in the outer CATCH block, it returns the error severity value of the error that invoked that outer CATCH block.

Examples: Azure Synapse Analytics and Analytics Platform System (PDW)

A. Use ERROR_SEVERITY in a CATCH block

This example shows a stored procedure that generates a divide-by-zero error. ERROR_SEVERITY returns the severity value of that error.

BEGIN TRY
-- Generate a divide-by-zero error.
    SELECT 1 / 0;
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH
    SELECT ERROR_SEVERITY() AS ErrorSeverity;
END CATCH
GO

Here's the result set.

-----------

(0 row(s) affected)

ErrorSeverity
-------------
16

(1 row(s) affected)

B. Use ERROR_SEVERITY in a CATCH block with other error-handling tools

This example shows a SELECT statement that generates a divide by zero error. The stored procedure returns information about the error.

BEGIN TRY
-- Generate a divide-by-zero error.
    SELECT 1 / 0;
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH
    SELECT ERROR_NUMBER() AS ErrorNumber,
           ERROR_SEVERITY() AS ErrorSeverity,
           ERROR_STATE() AS ErrorState,
           ERROR_PROCEDURE() AS ErrorProcedure,
           ERROR_LINE() AS ErrorLine,
           ERROR_MESSAGE() AS ErrorMessage;
END CATCH
GO

Here's the result set.

-----------

(0 row(s) affected)

ErrorNumber ErrorSeverity ErrorState  ErrorProcedure  ErrorLine   ErrorMessage
----------- ------------- ----------- --------------- ----------- ----------------------------------
8134        16            1           NULL            4           Divide by zero error encountered.

(1 row(s) affected)

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