---
title: Specify a Hit Count
titleSuffix: T-SQL debugger
ms.prod: sql
ms.technology: scripting
ms.topic: conceptual
f1_keywords: 
  - "vs.debug.breakpt.hitcount"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "Transact-SQL debugger, breakpoint hit count"
ms.assetid: 24836939-94ed-4e57-aa85-5d6938d859e4
author: markingmyname
ms.author: maghan
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.custom: seo-lt-2019
ms.date: 12/04/2019
monikerRange: ">=aps-pdw-2016||=azuresqldb-current||=azure-sqldw-latest||>=sql-server-2016||=sqlallproducts-allversions||>=sql-server-linux-2017||=azuresqldb-mi-current"
---

# Specify a Hit Count

[!INCLUDE[appliesto-ss-xxxx-xxxx-xxx-md](../../includes/appliesto-ss-xxxx-xxxx-xxx-md.md)]

A breakpoint hit count is a counter that is incremented by the [!INCLUDE[tsql](../../includes/tsql-md.md)] debugger each time the breakpoint is reached. If the specified hit count is reached and any specified breakpoint condition is satisfied, the debugger performs the action specified for the breakpoint.  

[!INCLUDE[ssms-old-versions](../../includes/ssms-old-versions.md)]

## Hit Count Considerations

 By default, execution breaks every time a breakpoint is hit. You can choose between the following options:  
  
-   Break always (the default).  
  
-   Break when the hit count equals a specified value.  
  
-   Break when the hit count equals a multiple of a specified value.  
  
-   Break when the hit count is greater than or equal to a specified value.  
  
 Breakpoint hit counts are incremented within the scope of a debugging session. All hit counts are set to zero at the start of each debugging session.  
  
 If you want to track how many times a breakpoint is hit without having the breakpoint break execution, specify a hit count with a very high value so the breakpoint never breaks.  
  
 The default action for a breakpoint is to break execution when both the hit count and breakpoint condition have been satisfied. For information about specifying other actions, see [Specify a Breakpoint Action](../../relational-databases/scripting/specify-a-breakpoint-action.md).  
  
#### To Specify a Hit Count  
  
1.  In the editor window, right-click the breakpoint glyph, and then click **Hit Count** on the shortcut menu.  
  
     -or-  
  
     In the **Breakpoints** window, right-click the breakpoint glyph, and then click **Hit Count** on the shortcut menu.  
  
2.  In the **Breakpoint Hit Count** dialog box, select the behavior you want from the **When the breakpoint is hit** box.  
  
     If you choose any setting other than **Break Always**, a text box appears to the right of the list. Enter an integer in the text box to specify the hit count you want.  
  
3.  Click **OK** to implement the changes, or **Cancel** to exit without applying the changes.  
  
#### To View or Reset the Current Hit Count  
  
1.  In the editor window, right-click the breakpoint glyph, and then click **Hit Count** on the shortcut menu.  
  
     -or-  
  
     In the **Breakpoints** window, right-click the breakpoint glyph, and then click **Hit Count** on the shortcut menu.  
  
2.  In the **Breakpoint Hit Count** dialog box, the **Current hit count:** is displayed just above the **Reset** button.  
  
3.  Click **Reset** if you want to set the current hit count to zero.  
  
4.  Click **OK** or **Cancel** to exit the dialog.  
  
## See Also  
 [Specify a Breakpoint Condition](../../relational-databases/scripting/specify-a-breakpoint-condition.md)