# Recursive CTE

A CTE that repeatedly refers to its own accumulated result until no new rows are produced.

## What is **Recursive CTE** in a relational database?

**Recursive CTE** — A CTE that repeatedly refers to its own accumulated result until no new rows are produced.

```sql
WITH RECURSIVE number_list (number) AS (
    VALUES (1)
    UNION ALL
    SELECT number + 1 FROM number_list WHERE number < 5
)
SELECT number FROM number_list;
```

Level: Journeyman · [More Database terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/database/journeyman)

Updated: September 27, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/recursive-cte