Glossary/Measurement & Attribution/Sales Qualified Lead (SQL)
Measurement & Attribution
Sales Qualified Lead (SQL)
A lead the sales team has vetted and accepted as a genuine potential buyer worth active pursuit.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
A sales qualified lead (SQL) is a lead the sales team has vetted and accepted as a genuine potential buyer worth active pursuit. Qualification typically considers need, budget, authority and timing. Tracking the conversion from marketing qualified leads to SQLs shows how well marketing and sales agree on lead quality.