What is the difference between CHAR and VARCHAR?

Question

Accepted Answer

Both store strings, but they differ in storage and padding . CHAR(n) — fixed-length . Always uses n bytes (or characters); shorter values are padded with spaces. Faster for fixed-size data. VARCHAR(n) — variable-length . Stores only the actual string plus a 1- or 2-byte length prefix. Saves space when lengths vary. Use CHAR for codes of consistent length (country codes, gender flags); use VARCHAR for everything else — names, emails, descriptions. CHAR = fixed length (padded), VARCHAR = variable length (efficient). CHAR strips trailing spaces. Use CHAR for fixed codes (2-char country codes, 36-char UUIDs). Use VARCHAR for everything else. This is one of the most asked data type questions.