---
title: ES|QL ST_CONTAINS function
description: 
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3016/reference/query-languages/esql/functions-operators/spatial-functions/st_contains
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# ES|QL ST_CONTAINS function
## Syntax

![Embedded](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3016/reference/query-languages/esql/images/functions/st_contains.svg)


## Parameters

<definitions>
  <definition term="geomA">
    Expression of type `geo_point`, `cartesian_point`, `geo_shape` or `cartesian_shape`. If `null`, the function returns `null`.
  </definition>
  <definition term="geomB">
    Expression of type `geo_point`, `cartesian_point`, `geo_shape` or `cartesian_shape`. If `null`, the function returns `null`. The second parameter must also have the same coordinate system as the first. This means it is not possible to combine `geo_*` and `cartesian_*` parameters.
  </definition>
</definitions>


## Description

Returns whether the first geometry contains the second geometry. This is the inverse of the [ST_WITHIN](https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/3016/reference/query-languages/esql/functions-operators/spatial-functions/st_within) function.

## Supported types


| geomA           | geomB           | result  |
|-----------------|-----------------|---------|
| cartesian_point | cartesian_point | boolean |
| cartesian_point | cartesian_shape | boolean |
| cartesian_shape | cartesian_point | boolean |
| cartesian_shape | cartesian_shape | boolean |
| geo_point       | geo_point       | boolean |
| geo_point       | geo_shape       | boolean |
| geo_shape       | geo_point       | boolean |
| geo_shape       | geo_shape       | boolean |


## Example

```esql
FROM airport_city_boundaries
| WHERE ST_CONTAINS(city_boundary, TO_GEOSHAPE("POLYGON((109.35 18.3, 109.45 18.3, 109.45 18.4, 109.35 18.4, 109.35 18.3))"))
| KEEP abbrev, airport, region, city, city_location
```


| abbrev:keyword | airport:text        | region:text | city:keyword | city_location:geo_point |
|----------------|---------------------|-------------|--------------|-------------------------|
| SYX            | Sanya Phoenix Int'l | 天涯区         | Sanya        | POINT(109.5036 18.2533) |