ST_DWithin (Distance / Proximity Queries)

Use this skill when you need to find features within a given distance of another geometry:

• “points within X meters of a line”
• proximity searches around a point
• replacing expensive buffer + intersects patterns

Core rules

• ST_DWithin is faster than ST_Distance < x
• Units depend on input type:
  • geometry → SRID units
  • geography → meters
• Geometries must be in the same SRID
• Prefer ST_DWithin over buffering when you only need a boolean test

Canonical patterns