How to SQL Query for Running Total in SQL

Calculate cumulative sum using window functions with SUM() OVER().

Quick Answer

SELECT date, amount, SUM(amount) OVER (ORDER BY date) as running_total FROM transactions;

Explanation

SUM() OVER() creates a running total. ORDER BY defines the accumulation order. PARTITION BY restarts the total for each group.

Query Variants

Basic

SELECT
  transaction_date,
  amount,
  SUM(amount) OVER (ORDER BY transaction_date) as running_total
FROM transactions;

Partitioned

SELECT
  account_id,
  transaction_date,
  amount,
  SUM(amount) OVER (PARTITION BY account_id ORDER BY transaction_date) as account_balance
FROM transactions;

Moving Average

SELECT
  date,
  value,
  AVG(value) OVER (ORDER BY date ROWS BETWEEN 6 PRECEDING AND CURRENT ROW) as moving_avg_7
FROM daily_stats;

Pro Tips

• PARTITION BY creates separate running totals per group
• Use ROWS BETWEEN for moving windows
• Available in most modern databases

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