/

/

SQLite to MySQL Converter - Free Migration Tool 2025 | AI2sql

Content

SQLite to MySQL Converter - Free Migration Tool 2025 | AI2sql

SQLite to MySQL Converter - Free Online Tool 2025

Moving data and applications from SQLite to MySQL unlocks better scalability, feature sets, and integration options. However, manual SQLite to MySQL migration often reveals compatibility gaps, data type mismatches, and syntax hurdles that can result in time-consuming errors. Developers must translate hundreds of SQLite queries, remap types, and grapple with SQL nuances. AI2sql streamlines this migration by instantly generating production-ready MySQL queries from your natural language inputs, removing guesswork and manual script rewriting.

SQLite to MySQL Migration Overview

SQLite is a fast, file-based embedded database commonly used for local and lightweight apps, while MySQL is a powerful, widely-supported relational database for cloud and web-scale solutions. Migrating from SQLite to MySQL is an essential modernization step for teams seeking performance, concurrency, and advanced SQL capabilities.

  • SQLite: Serverless, single-file DB suitable for small/local apps

  • MySQL: Client-server model, robust features, high concurrency support

  • Migration is common for scaling projects, cloud adoption, and web backend upgrades

Key Syntax Differences: SQLite vs MySQL

Directly copying SQLite SQL into MySQL often leads to errors due to subtle and major syntax differences:

  • Quoting Identifiers: SQLite supports double quotes or backticks; MySQL prefers backticks.

  • Auto-Increment: SQLite uses PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT; MySQL uses AUTO_INCREMENT.

  • Default Values: Function defaults like CURRENT_TIMESTAMP syntaxes can differ.

  • Constraints: Foreign key and check constraint handling varies.

  • Function Names: String concatenation ('||' vs CONCAT()), date functions, random/uuid generators differ.

Operation

SQLite

MySQL

Auto-increment

id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT

id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY

String concat

SELECT 'a' || 'b';

SELECT CONCAT('a','b');

Date function

date('now')

CURDATE()

Text type

TEXT

VARCHAR(65535) or TEXT

Insert or Replace

INSERT OR REPLACE INTO ...

REPLACE INTO ...

Data Type Mapping Guide

Careful remapping of data types is crucial for valid migrations:

SQLite Type

MySQL Equivalent

INTEGER

INT / BIGINT

REAL

DOUBLE / FLOAT

TEXT

VARCHAR(N) / TEXT

BLOB

BLOB

NUMERIC

DECIMAL / NUMERIC

BOOLEAN

TINYINT(1)

DATETIME

DATETIME

  • INTEGER PRIMARY KEY in SQLite = AUTO_INCREMENT in MySQL

  • No strict type enforcement in SQLite; MySQL is more explicit

Common Conversion Challenges

  • Foreign Key Enforcement: Disabled by default in SQLite; always on in MySQL, may require schema adjustments.

  • Indexing and Constraints: Different syntaxes and limitations for composite keys and partial indexes.

  • Trigger Support: Not all SQLite triggers convert cleanly into MySQL.

  • Boolean Types: SQLite accepts any value; MySQL expects 0/1 or TINYINT(1).

  • Default Functions: Default values using expressions or functions often need manual rewrite.

Step-by-Step Migration Process

  • 1. Export schema: Extract your SQLite schema using the .schema command.

  • 2. Edit data types & syntax: Adjust types, keys, and auto-increment semantics for MySQL compatibility.

  • 3. Data export: Dump data to CSV or SQL and transform for MySQL import (handle escaping, quoting).

  • 4. Import into MySQL: Use MySQL tools or scripts to import altered schema and data.

  • 5. Test & Validate: Run queries, check constraints, test application integration.

  • 6. Optimize: Tune indexes and queries for MySQL performance.

  • AI2sql can generate required MySQL scripts and queries from plain English to speed up this process.

AI2sql: Generate MySQL Queries from Natural Language

Skip manual SQL conversion and syntax checks—AI2sql platform lets you describe what you want in plain English and instantly generates correct, migration-ready MySQL queries. No syntax expertise required, zero guesswork, and no more conversion errors.

  • Supports 15+ databases—including SQLite and MySQL

  • Used by over 50,000 developers

  • Enterprise-grade, production-ready accuracy

  • Reduce migration time and error risk

SQLite to MySQL Conversion Examples

1. Table Creation & Auto Increment Conversion

SQLite:

MySQL:

2. String Concatenation

SQLite:

MySQL:

3. Date Functions

SQLite:

MySQL:

4. Boolean Column

SQLite:

MySQL:

5. Insert or Replace Syntax

SQLite:

MySQL:

Description

SQLite

MySQL

LEFT JOIN

SELECT * FROM a LEFT JOIN b ON ...

SELECT * FROM a LEFT JOIN b ON ...

DATETIME default

created_at TEXT DEFAULT (datetime('now'))

created_at DATETIME DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP

Index

CREATE INDEX idx_n ON t(n);

CREATE INDEX idx_n ON t(n);

Troubleshooting: Common Conversion Errors

  • Data Type Errors: MySQL is stricter—ensure all columns use a valid type mapping.

  • Syntax Errors: Beware of AUTOINCREMENT, quoting, and reserved word differences.

  • Constraint Mismatches: Adapt foreign key and unique constraint syntax as MySQL handles them differently.

  • Import Failures: Watch for mis-escaped strings, newlines, and inconsistent encoding in CSV/SQL dumps.

  • Boolean Logic: Use TINYINT(1) in MySQL, not BOOLEAN literal values.

Performance Tips for MySQL After Migration

  • Define indexes for columns used in WHERE, JOIN, ORDER BY clauses

  • Set proper VARCHAR sizes for text columns to optimize storage

  • Use EXPLAIN in MySQL to analyze and optimize queries

  • Regularly update statistics and run ANALYZE TABLE

  • Test with real data volumes to tune connection and query cache settings

Skip manual conversion - Generate MySQL queries instantly with AI2sql using natural language.

Resources and Next Steps

Conclusion

Modernizing from SQLite to MySQL is a strategic upgrade: it expands what's possible for your applications and improves performance, reliability, and compatibility. Yet, manual SQLite to MySQL migration is resource-intensive and error-prone—data types, functions, and constraints don't match 1-to-1. AI2sql eliminates these hurdles, letting you effortlessly describe your migration targets with natural language and get accurate, MySQL-compatible queries in seconds. Try AI2sql Free - Generate MySQL Queries from Plain English and accelerate your next database migration without the usual conversion headaches.

Share this

More Articles