-- count(*) is special explain select count(*) from t /* Projection: [rowcount] (cost=302.3) Aggregate: [rowcount], groupby=[] (cost=301) Scan: t[] (cost=0) */ -- count(*) with projection explain select count(*) + 1 from t /* Projection: [(1 + rowcount)] (cost=302.5) Aggregate: [rowcount], groupby=[] (cost=301) Scan: t[] (cost=0) */