Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, computer program product and system for increasing sorting efficiency by utilizing a determined crossover point. Initially, a set of data, containing a number of tuples, to be sorted is received. A determination is made as to the number of radix sort iterations to perform based on the number of tuples of the received data. A countdown timer is set based on the determined number of radix sort iterations. Radix sorts iterations are performed recursively. After each iteration, the countdown timer is decreased. Upon the countdown timer reaching zero, one or more comparison sorts is performed on the remainder of the set of data not sorted by the radix sorting.