What does 3NF stand for?

Third Normal Form

The abbreviation 3NF stands for Third Normal Form in computer science, particularly in database design. Third Normal Form is an advanced level of database normalization that ensures all the data in a table is dependent only on the primary key, and not on other non-key attributes. To achieve 3NF, a table must already meet the rules of First (1NF) and Second Normal Form (2NF). People searching for “3NF database,” “Third Normal Form example,” or “database normalization levels” are interested in building efficient, organized, and reliable databases.

Applying 3NF helps eliminate redundant data, reduces the chance of update anomalies, and makes maintenance easier. This is important for anyone designing large-scale databases, ensuring data is stored cleanly and logically.