mysql> explain SELECT id -> FROM file -> WHERE size IN -> ( SELECT size FROM tmpTab ); +----+--------------------+--------+-------+---------------+----------+--------- +------+-------+--------------------------+ | id | select_type | table | type | possible_keys | key | key_len | ref | rows | Extra | +----+--------------------+--------+-------+---------------+----------+--------- +------+-------+--------------------------+ | 1 | PRIMARY | file | index | NULL | filesize | 8 | NULL | 21168 | Using where; Using index | | 2 | DEPENDENT SUBQUERY | tmpTab | ALL | NULL | NULL | NULL | NULL | 3197 | Using where | +----+--------------------+--------+-------+---------------+----------+--------- +------+-------+--------------------------+ 2 rows in set (0.00 sec)