percentile_cont()

Computes the continuous percentile, a value corresponding to the specified fraction within the ordered set of aggregated argument values. This will interpolate between adjacent input items if needed.

Signature

percentile_cont ( fraction double precision ) WITHIN GROUP ( ORDER BY double precision ) → double precision
percentile_cont ( fraction double precision ) WITHIN GROUP ( ORDER BY interval ) → interval
percentile_cont ( fractions double precision[] ) WITHIN GROUP ( ORDER BY double precision ) → double precision[]
percentile_cont ( fractions double precision[] ) WITHIN GROUP ( ORDER BY interval ) → interval[]

Examples

SELECT percentile_cont(0.5) WITHIN GROUP (ORDER BY amount) FROM orders;
 percentile_cont 
-----------------
           74.25
(1 row)

Run against PostgreSQL 18.6 on 2026-09-13. This is the output we got, not the documentation’s.

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Signature and description adapted from the PostgreSQL manual, used under the PostgreSQL License. PostgreSQL is a registered trademark of the PostgreSQL Community Association of Canada. This page is not affiliated with the PostgreSQL Global Development Group.