5 Things you can Build With SQL (Even if You’ve Never Coded Before)

If you're completely new to coding and wondering what SQL is even good for, you're in the right place. This article will walk you through five easy and useful things you can build with SQL, even if you've never written a line of code before. Whether you're curious about data, switching careers, or just want to build something practical, this beginner guide to SQL will help you take your first step. Let's keep it simple and fun!

So you’ve heard the word SQL (pronounced "ess-cue-ell"). Maybe someone told you it's important for working with data. Maybe you saw it in a job ad. Maybe you're just curious.

But here's the thing: You don't need to be a tech person to learn SQL. And no – it's not just for "programmers."

In fact, if you’ve ever used a spreadsheet like Excel or Google Sheets, you already understand the basics of what SQL does.

SQL is a tool that lets you store information, organize it, and ask useful questions about it. For example, you can save a list of products, find out which one sold the most, or check which student has the highest grade. It’s like talking to a super-organized notebook that gives you answers when you ask. You don’t need to know any programming to use SQL – just a bit of curiosity and the desire to learn.

Let me show you 5 super simple, beginner-friendly projects you can try with SQL. But first…

How to Start Using SQL and Where to Write Queries

If you’ve never written any code before, this part might feel mysterious. Don’t worry – it’s actually simple.

What is a SQL query?

A SQL query is simply a way to ask a question or give instructions to a database. Think of a database as a super-organized digital filing cabinet that stores information – like names, numbers, dates, and more. When you write a SQL query, you're telling the database what you want to see or do.

For example, if you have a list of books, a query might ask, “Which ones have I finished reading?” or “Show me all the books by J.K. Rowling.” SQL has a special language for asking these questions, and it’s easier than it sounds. It’s like talking to your data in short, clear sentences. You don’t need to be a coder – just someone who wants to get answers from information.

Where do I write SQL?

There are many different types of SQL and databases you can choose from, depending on your needs. These are often called "SQL dialects," and each one works a little differently. For this article, I’ll focus on PostgreSQL, because it’s my favorite. It’s completely free, open-source, and has a fantastic online community that’s always ready to help beginners.

Here are three beginner-friendly ways to start using SQL:

Use PostgreSQL with pgAdmin

To use it, you’ll typically install PostgreSQL on your computer along with a tool called pgAdmin. pgAdmin gives you a simple visual interface where you can write and run SQL queries, see your results, and manage your data.

To get started, just:

• Download and install PostgreSQL (pgAdmin is usually included).
• Open pgAdmin and create your first database.
• Start typing simple SQL commands and get instant feedback.

You don’t need to be a developer to do this – just follow a guide. Check out our easy tutorial: How to Install and Set Up pgAdmin

This setup is perfect if you want to learn how SQL works in the real world.

Use Google Sheets with a plugin

If you're more comfortable with spreadsheets, Google Sheets lets you use SQL-like logic with its built-in QUERY() function. While it’s not full SQL, it’s great for practicing how to filter and sort data. For more, check out SQL Queries for Google Sheets.

You can also install third-party add-ons that let you connect Google Sheets to real databases. This way, you can write real SQL and analyze live data without needing to install anything on your computer.

Perfect if you're already comfy with spreadsheets and want to ease into SQL.

Now that you're all set up, it's time to build something cool. In the next section, you'll find five fun and practical projects you can start today – even if this is your first time using SQL.

1. Track What you Own (Like a Tiny Inventory app)

You have a bunch of stuff – books, video games, snacks, whatever. But you can never remember what you already have. You want an easy way to track it all, so you know what you’re low on without having to dig through a closet.

Here’s how to build your own simple inventory tracker using SQL, explained step-by-step:

Step 1: Create a table

In SQL, a table is like a digital spreadsheet. It’s where your information lives. Think of it like making a new sheet in Excel and deciding what columns you want. For tracking snacks, you might create a table with these columns:

• item_name – the name of the item.
• quantity – how many you have.
• location – where you store it.

You only need to decide the column names and the type of data each column will store. Then you'll run a SQL command to create it.

CREATE TABLE snacks (
 item_name TEXT,
 quantity INTEGER,
 location TEXT
 );

Step 2: Add some data

Once your table is ready, you can start adding info into it. This is called inserting data. You do it one row at a time.

INSERT INTO snacks (item_name, quantity, location)
 VALUES ('Chocolate bar', 3, 'Kitchen');
INSERT INTO snacks (item_name, quantity, location)
 VALUES ('Rice', 1, 'Pantry');

Each INSERT adds a new line to your list – just like adding a row in a spreadsheet.

Step 3: Ask a question

Time to test it out. You can ask the database something like: “Which items are running low?” Here’s how:

SELECT item_name, quantity
 FROM snacks
 WHERE quantity < 3;

This means “show me the name and how many of each snack I have, but only the ones with less than 3 left.”

This is your first real SQL query. It’s short, powerful, and super useful. You’re now officially using SQL to solve a real-world problem.

2. Make a Personal Reading List

You love reading and want to keep a digital list of your books: the ones you’ve read, the ones you're reading, and the ones you want to read next. Instead of using a sticky note or notebook, let’s build this in SQL.

Step 1: Create a table

First, make a space to store all your book info. That means creating a table with columns for the book title, author, and reading status (like "Reading", "Finished", or "Want to Read").

CREATE TABLE books (
 title TEXT,
 author TEXT,
 status TEXT
 );

Step 2: Add some books

Now start filling your table with some entries. You can add real books or just make some up.

INSERT INTO books (title, author, status)
 VALUES ('The Hobbit', 'J.R.R. Tolkien', 'Finished');
INSERT INTO books (title, author, status)
 VALUES ('Atomic Habits', 'James Clear', 'Reading');

Each row you insert is like a new entry in your reading log.

Step 3: Ask questions about your list

Want to see only the books you’re currently reading? Here’s how to ask:

SELECT title, author
 FROM books
 WHERE status = 'Reading';

This means: “give me the titles and authors of all the books I’m still reading.”

It’s a great way to keep your list organized and find what you want quickly. Plus, it teaches you how to filter data based on conditions – an essential SQL skill.

Try it in pgAdmin, or use an interactive SQL platform like LearnSQL.com to practice.

3. See how Much you Sold (or Just Pretend)

You're running a small bake sale or maybe trying out a side hustle selling handmade crafts. You want to keep track of how much you've sold and which items are making you the most money.

Here's how you can set that up in SQL, step-by-step:

Step 1: Create a table

Start by making a table to store your sales data. This table needs to include the name of the item sold and the amount of the sale.

CREATE TABLE sales (
 item_name TEXT,
 sale_amount DECIMAL
 );

This gives you a digital version of your sales notebook.

Step 2: Add some sales data

Next, you enter the actual sales. You can make these up to practice:

INSERT INTO sales (item_name, sale_amount)
 VALUES ('Cookies', 10.00);
INSERT INTO sales (item_name, sale_amount)
 VALUES ('Brownies', 15.00);
INSERT INTO sales (item_name, sale_amount)
 VALUES ('Cookies', 10.00);

Each line records one sale. So if you sold cookies twice, you enter them as two rows.

Step 3: Calculate total sales per item

Now you want to see how much you’ve earned from each item type. Here's the query:

SELECT item_name, SUM(sale_amount)
 FROM sales
 GROUP BY item_name;

This means: “add up all the sales for each item and tell me the total amount for each.”

This simple query helps you understand what’s selling best – and gives you an essential SQL skill: grouping and summarizing data.

4. Track Grades Like a Teacher

You’re helping your younger sibling track their school grades. Or maybe you’re a teacher who wants a clearer view of your students’ progress. With SQL, you can build a simple tool to organize grades and spot trends.

Here’s how to set it up step-by-step:

Step 1: Create a table

First, you need a place to store the data. In SQL, that’s a table. For this example, your table will store each student’s name and their individual grades.

CREATE TABLE grades (
 student_name TEXT,
 grade INTEGER
 );

Step 2: Add student grades

Now add some data. Each time a student gets a grade, you insert a new row. You can add as many entries per student as you want.

INSERT INTO grades (student_name, grade)
 VALUES ('Ella', 90);
INSERT INTO grades (student_name, grade)
 VALUES ('Noah', 85);
INSERT INTO grades (student_name, grade)
 VALUES ('Ella', 75);

This way, you’re not just storing one grade per student – you’re creating a history you can analyze.

Step 3: Calculate average scores

Once you’ve got the grades in, you can ask SQL to do the math for you:

SELECT student_name, AVG(grade) AS average_score
 FROM grades
 GROUP BY student_name;

This means: “for each student, show me their average score.”

This is a great way to see how students are doing overall – without using a calculator or spreadsheet formulas.

5. Organize Simple Orders (Like a Tiny Amazon)

You’re helping a friend run a small online shop. Customers are placing orders, and you need to keep track of what they bought, when they ordered, and whether the order has been shipped.

Let’s build a simple order-tracking system using SQL. Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

Step 1: Create a table

You’ll need a table that stores each order. At a minimum, you’ll want to record the customer’s name, the date they placed the order, and the order’s current status (like "Shipped" or "Pending").

CREATE TABLE orders (
 customer_name TEXT,
 order_date DATE,
 status TEXT
 );

Step 2: Add some orders

Now, let’s enter some example data. This is like filling in the rows of your order book.

INSERT INTO orders (customer_name, order_date, status)
 VALUES ('Lily', '2024-07-01', 'Pending');
INSERT INTO orders (customer_name, order_date, status)
 VALUES ('Tom', '2024-07-02', 'Shipped');

You can keep adding as many orders as you like.

Step 3: Check pending orders

Want to see all the orders that haven’t shipped yet? Here’s how to ask that question with SQL:

SELECT customer_name, order_date
 FROM orders
 WHERE status = 'Pending';

This means: “tell me who placed an order and when, but only show me the ones that are still waiting to be shipped.”

This teaches you how to filter records based on a condition, which is one of the most useful things SQL can do when working with live data.

So... What do you Do now?

If you made it this far – nice! You’ve already learned a lot just by reading, and now it’s time to try it out for yourself.

Start by choosing one project from the list above that sounds the most fun or useful to you. Don’t worry about getting everything right – this is your playground. Next, create some fake data to practice with. You don’t need real sales numbers or actual grades: just make up book titles, snack names, or anything else that helps you follow along.

Once you’ve added some data, think of a question you’d ask in real life. Something like: “Which items are running low?” or “What books am I reading now?” Then, try writing that question as a simple SQL query using the examples in this guide.

And if you want step-by-step help while practicing, check out our popular SQL Basics course. It’s designed for beginners and gives you a safe space to learn and experiment with real SQL queries.

You’ve got this. One query at a time.