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When LINQ isn’t enough, use raw SQL in Entity Framework Core for a database-specific query LINQ cannot express or when measurements show EF Core’s generated SQL is inadequate for your workload. Start with a parameterizing API for values, choose an API that matches the result you need, and check whether the SQL can be composed with LINQ. Raw SQL is a targeted escape hatch—not an automatic performance upgrade—and it adds maintenance work.
When should you use raw SQL in EF Core?
Consider raw SQL when a database-specific construct is not translated from LINQ, or when you have measured a meaningful performance problem and can write better SQL for the same workload. Raw SQL is not inherently faster: the result depends on your provider, schema, query, and data. Microsoft recommends checking what EF Core generates and treating handwritten SQL as a last resort because you must maintain it yourself. Microsoft’s efficient-querying guidance discusses that trade-off.
- Use LINQ when it expresses the query clearly and EF Core translates it appropriately. EF Core has more semantic information when it builds SQL itself and may produce cleaner SQL than when composing over supplied SQL.
- Use raw SQL for a translation gap or a measured need for database-specific SQL.
- For reusable database logic, consider mapping a user-defined function or table-valued function so it can be called from LINQ. A database view can represent a reusable query, but it cannot accept parameters.
These are alternatives, not performance guarantees; choose based on the query’s behavior and how the logic will be maintained.
Which EF Core raw SQL API fits the result?
| Need | API | What it returns or does |
|---|---|---|
| Query mapped entities | DbSet.FromSql |
Entity instances subject to ordinary EF Core tracking and mapping rules. |
| Query entities with dynamically constructed SQL text | DbSet.FromSqlRaw |
Entity instances; keep values separate from SQL text and handle dynamic construction carefully. |
| Query scalars or a custom CLR result shape | Database.SqlQuery<T> |
Scalar results, and from EF Core 8, unmapped mappable CLR types. |
| Query scalars or custom results using dynamic SQL text | Database.SqlQueryRaw<T> |
The raw-SQL counterpart for non-entity results. |
| Run a command without returning a result set | Database.ExecuteSql |
Executes SQL and returns the number of affected rows. |
| Run a command with dynamically constructed SQL text | Database.ExecuteSqlRaw |
Executes the command; take the same care with construction and parameters as for raw queries. |
FromSql was introduced in EF Core 7; earlier versions use FromSqlInterpolated. EF Core 8 added SqlQuery support for unmapped mappable CLR types. Those types have no keys or relationships, so choose a mapped entity when you need entity relationships or tracking. See Microsoft’s SQL Queries documentation and EF Core 8 release documentation.
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How do you parameterize raw SQL in EF Core?
Use interpolated parameterizing APIs for values. For an entity query, the current API is FromSql:
var blogs = context.Blogs.FromSql($"SELECT * FROM dbo.Blogs WHERE Rating > {minimumRating}");
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EF Core sends the embedded value as a parameter rather than inserting it into the SQL text. The equivalent principle applies to ExecuteSql for commands and SqlQuery<T> for non-entity results.
Use a raw variant only when you need to construct the SQL text dynamically. Keep values as separate arguments, for example:
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var blogs = context.Blogs.FromSqlRaw("SELECT * FROM Blogs WHERE Rating > {0}", minimumRating);
Do not concatenate user-controlled text into executable SQL or pass an interpolated string containing unvalidated user values as the raw SQL argument. FromSqlRaw is not unsafe by itself when values are passed separately using placeholders; the hazard is unsafe construction. Microsoft’s EF Core 10 API reference warns against concatenating or interpolating unvalidated values into this API.
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Parameters represent values, not SQL syntax such as table names, column names, or keywords. As a practical security measure, if an identifier must vary, select it from an allow-list of permitted identifiers and construct that syntax separately. Parameterization also does not validate business rules or authorize an input; the application must do those things.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you compose LINQ over a raw SQL query?
FromSql starts directly on a DbSet; it cannot be attached to an arbitrary LINQ query root. You can compose LINQ operators after the raw query, but EF Core treats the supplied SQL as a subquery. The SQL must therefore be valid in that position for the target provider.
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Composable SQL generally begins with SELECT. On SQL Server, a trailing semicolon, a query-level hint, or certain ORDER BY forms can make SQL invalid as a subquery. Check the provider’s requirements when composing.
Stored procedures
Stored procedure calls are generally not composable. On SQL Server, composing a server-side operator over a stored procedure call produces invalid SQL. If client-side processing is intended, switch to client enumeration immediately after the raw call, using AsEnumerable() or AsAsyncEnumerable(); operators after that point run on the client rather than being translated into SQL. Microsoft documents this composition change in its EF Core 3.x breaking changes.
What happens to entity tracking and related data?
Entity results from raw SQL follow the same tracking rules as entity results from LINQ: they are tracked by default. For a read-only query that does not need change tracking, add AsNoTracking(). Raw SQL does not automatically load related data; you can compose Include where the SQL and provider support that composition.
The result shape must match the mapped entity. Return every mapped entity property and use result column names corresponding to the mapped database columns. If you need only a custom projection and not entity relationships or change tracking, an EF Core 8 unmapped result type may be a better fit.
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A practical decision checklist
- Check translation first. Determine whether LINQ expresses the query and whether EF Core translates it suitably for your provider.
- Measure before optimizing. Establish that the generated query is a real problem under your schema and workload; do not assume handwritten SQL is faster.
- Choose the result model. Use
FromSqlfor mapped entities,SqlQuery<T>for supported scalar or custom unmapped results, andExecuteSqlfor commands with no result set. - Parameterize values. Prefer interpolated APIs; if constructing raw SQL text, pass values separately and never splice untrusted input into executable SQL.
- Check composition and mapping. Ensure the SQL is valid as a subquery if LINQ follows it, and ensure entity results include all mapped columns.
- Account for upkeep. Keep handwritten SQL understandable and tested as the schema, provider, and application evolve; for recurring logic, assess mapped functions or a view.
For additional context on query generation and performance trade-offs, see Microsoft’s advanced performance topics.
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