MySQL: how to get x number of results per grouping [duplicate]

Answer 1

Try this query -

SELECT item_id, item_name, catid FROM 
  (SELECT t1.*, COUNT(*) cnt FROM items t1
    LEFT JOIN items t2
      ON t2.catid = t1.catid AND t2.item_id <= t1.item_id 
  GROUP BY
    t1.catid, t1.item_id
  ) t
WHERE
  cnt < 6
-- LIMIT 20

It will show first 5 items per category. Uncomment LIMIT 20 if you need. Join Categories table if you need.