What is the maximum size of an individual Azure SQL Database?

The maximum size of an individual Azure SQL Database varies by service tier, and discussing the Hyperscale tier highlights its capabilities effectively. The Hyperscale tier is designed to support large-scale databases, offering the ability to grow to a maximum size of 100 TB. This is particularly valuable for applications requiring high scalability and performance, especially when dealing with large datasets or complex workloads that can benefit from the dynamic scaling features of Hyperscale.

Understanding the context of the other tiers provides additional insight into why Hyperscale stands out. The Standard tier, for example, has a limit of 10 TB, making it suitable for many typical applications but not for those with massive data requirements. The Basic tier's cap at 100 GB is adequate for lightweight workloads but falls significantly short for larger applications. The Premium tier, allowing up to 500 GB, serves high-performance needs, yet still does not meet the extensive requirements that some enterprises might require, thus reaffirming the superior capacity offered by the Hyperscale tier.

In summary, the capability of the Hyperscale tier to support databases up to 100 TB positions it as the optimal choice for scenarios demanding high scalability and significant amounts of data, justifying its designation as the correct answer.