# How to Get the Column Type Using pg_typeof() Function in PostgreSQL?

> To get the column’s type in Postgres all you need to do is simply pass the column name as an argument to the pg_typeof() function.

PostgreSQL provides a built-in function named “ **pg_typeof()** ” that helps us in getting the data type of a value or table’s column. It accepts a value or a column as an argument and retrieves the OID of the respective value or column. More specifically, it retrieves a “regtype” which is an OID alias type(doesn’t have operations of its own).

This article will guide you on how to get a column’s type using the **pg_typeof()** function.

 **How to Get the Column’s Type Using pg_typeof() Function in Postgres?**

To get the column’s type in Postgres all you need to do is simply pass the column name as an argument to the pg_typeof() function. The pg_typeof() function will handle the rest. Here is a basic syntax for using the pg_typeof() function in Postgres:
    
    
    SELECT pg_typeof(col_name)
    FROM tab_name
    LIMIT 1;

The “LIMIT 1” clause is used to limit/restrict the result set to 1 record only.

 **Example 1: How to Get the Type of a Specific Column?**

In this example, we will utilize an already created sample table named “author_info” that has the following records:
    
    
    SELECT * FROM author_info
    ORDER BY author_id;

Let’s apply the pg_typeof() function to the author_name column to get the data type of the specified column:
    
    
    SELECT pg_typeof(author_name) AS auth_name
    FROM author_info
    LIMIT 1;

The output reveals that the data type of the specified column is TEXT.

 **Example 2: How to Get the Type of a Specific Column?**

To get the data type of multiple columns, you must use multiple pg_typeof() functions with comma-separated syntax. An example of getting data type of various columns is illustrated in the following snippet:
    
    
    SELECT pg_typeof(author_name) AS auth_name,
    pg_typeof(author_exp) AS auth_name
    FROM author_info
    LIMIT 1;

The pg_typeof() function retrieves the data type of the given columns.

 **Conclusion**

To get the column’s type in Postgres all you need to do is simply pass the column name as an argument to the pg_typeof() function. The stated function will take care of the rest. It accepts a value or a column as an argument and retrieves the OID of the respective value or column. This post has demonstrated the use of the pg_typeof() function in PostgreSQL using appropriate examples.

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