COUNT OVER in BigQuery

This page is a quick reference checkpoint for COUNT OVER in BigQuery: behavior, syntax rules, edge cases, and a minimal example; plus the official vendor documentation.


Function Details

COUNT OVER returns the number of rows in the window frame.

When an aggregate function is used with OVER, it becomes a window function. Aggregate-function clauses such as DISTINCT cannot be used together with OVER.

Warning: Aggregate-function modifiers (such as DISTINCT) cannot be used when the aggregate is used as a window function.

If this behavior feels unintuitive, the tutorial below explains the underlying pattern step-by-step.

COUNT([ DISTINCT ] expression) [ OVER (window_clause) ]

SELECT region, amount, COUNT(*) OVER (PARTITION BY region) AS region_count FROM sales_table;

What should you do next?

If you came here to confirm syntax, you’re done. If you came here to get better at window functions, choose your next step.

Understand the pattern

COUNT OVER is part of a bigger window-function pattern. If you want the “why”, start here: Aggregate Window Functions

Prove it with a real query

Reading docs is useful. Writing the query correctly under pressure is the skill.

Order Volume, Customer by Customer

Support Status

  • Supported: yes
  • Minimum Version: BigQuery is continuously updated and has no versioned SQL engine, so minimum version information does not apply.

Official Documentation

For the authoritative spec, use the vendor docs. This page is the fast “sanity check”.

View BigQuery Documentation →

Looking for more functions across all SQL dialects? Visit the full SQL Dialects & Window Functions Documentation.