MySql find all rows where data contains less than four characters

Question

How would I properly write this sql-english query:

"SELECT zip FROM tblContacts WHERE [the number of characters in zips is less or equal than 4]".

Thanks.

Answer 1

I'm sure there must be a better way, but...:

SELECT zip FROM tblContacts WHERE zip LIKE '_' OR zip LIKE '__' OR zip LIKE '___' OR zip LIKE '____';

Answer 2

SELECT zip FROM tblContacts WHERE CHAR_LENGTH(zip) > 0

Answer 3

Assuming zip is a string:

WHERE CHAR_LENGTH(zip) <= 4

should work.

Edit: originally there was some confusion as to whether the desired comparison was <, <=, or >, but now the Q's been edited to clarify, so I've edited my A accordingly.