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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 queriesRegularly 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
SQLite Migration Tools
MySQL SQL Tutorial
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.
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