[discrete]
[[esql-agg-count]]
=== `COUNT`

*Syntax*

[source,esql]
----
COUNT([expression])
----

*Parameters*

`expression`::
Expression that outputs values to be counted.
If omitted, equivalent to `COUNT(*)` (the number of rows).

*Description*

Returns the total number (count) of input values.

*Supported types*

Can take any field type as input.

*Examples*

[source.merge.styled,esql]
----
include::{esql-specs}/stats.csv-spec[tag=count]
----
[%header.monospaced.styled,format=dsv,separator=|]
|===
include::{esql-specs}/stats.csv-spec[tag=count-result]
|===

To count the number of rows, use `COUNT()` or `COUNT(*)`:

[source.merge.styled,esql]
----
include::{esql-specs}/docs.csv-spec[tag=countAll]
----
[%header.monospaced.styled,format=dsv,separator=|]
|===
include::{esql-specs}/docs.csv-spec[tag=countAll-result]
|===

The expression can use inline functions. This example splits a string into
multiple values using the `SPLIT` function and counts the values:

[source.merge.styled,esql]
----
include::{esql-specs}/stats.csv-spec[tag=docsCountWithExpression]
----
[%header.monospaced.styled,format=dsv,separator=|]
|===
include::{esql-specs}/stats.csv-spec[tag=docsCountWithExpression-result]
|===