Each SQL Server version has a specific native compatibility level, as a way to distinguish it from other SQL Server versions. The compatibility level is used internally in SQL Server for many operations.
For example, if you try to restore a database backup taken on SQL Server 2017 with native compatibility level 140, to an older SQL Server instance, for example SQL Server 2014 with native compatibility level 120 you will get an error since you cannot do that.
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Backup and Restore with Different SQL Server Compatibility Levels
However, if you backup a database on a SQL Server instance (i.e. instance A) and restore it on a newer one (i.e. instance B), given the fact that the instance B is backwards compatible with instance A, you can restore the database on the new instance and either maintain its compatibility level, or upgrade it (via database options) to the native compatibility level of the new SQL Server instance.
Table with SQL Server Compatibility Levels
In the below table, you can find the currently available SQL Server versions, along with their compatibility level and backwards compatibility:
SQL Server Version
Compatibility Level
Backward compatibility
2005
90
90, 80
2008
100
100, 90, 80
2008 R2
100
100, 90, 80
2012
110
110, 100, 90
2014
120
120, 110, 100
2016
130
130, 120, 110, 100
2017
140
140, 130, 120, 110, 100
2019
150
150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100
A Free Online Service – SQL Server Backward Compatibility Check
Moreover, there is a free online service I have created, which you can find here, at SQLNetHub, which given a SQL Server version, it returns backwards compatibility info.
Artemakis Artemiou is a Senior SQL Server Architect, Author, and a 9 Times Microsoft Data Platform MVP (2009-2018). He has over 15 years of experience in the IT industry in various roles. Artemakis is the founder of SQLNetHub and TechHowTos.com. Artemakis is the creator of the well-known software tools Snippets Generator and DBA Security Advisor. Also, he is the author of many eBooks on SQL Server. Artemakis currently serves as the President of the Cyprus .NET User Group (CDNUG) and the International .NET Association Country Leader for Cyprus (INETA).
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