WP_Query meta value order is not working

Question

I am fetching results based on numeric value of post metadata. But I am getting 2 types of results based on whether I'm using 2 or 02 .

Take a look at the images

Here is another

When I am using 02 its okay. But when I am using only 2 its not okay. I am organizing post ids based on meta_value.

Here is the result when I'm using 2

3866
3864
3865
3861
3862

Here is the result when I'm using 02

3866
3864
3861
3862
3865

Why this is not working?

I am using $args['orderby'] = 'meta_value meta_value_num';

Answer 1

If the variable you are storing in meta_value were an integer, you would not be able to store it as '02'. So, apparently, your are storing a string. This indeed gives different orders depending on whether you store '02' or '2', as is described under meta_value in the codex on WP_Query.

So, as the codex says, you must force the string to be converted to integers by ordering with meta_value_num or by additionally specifying meta_type=NUMERIC.