How to Use the Round Function in Excel

Round numbers to the right or left of the decimal point

What to Know

  • Syntax is ROUND(number,num_digits). Number = value or cell to be rounded; num_digits = where to round to.
  • To display results, select cell for result > enter "=ROUND" > double-click ROUND > use provided syntax.
  • Next, enter number to round > enter value to round to > press ENTER.

This article explains how to use the ROUND function in Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2019, and Excel 2016.

How to Round Numbers in Excel

Use the ROUND function to round numbers up or down. Rounding numbers is not the same as changing the number format or changing the number of decimal places displayed in a worksheet. These only change how the number appears in the worksheet. When you round a number, you change how the number appears and how Excel stores the number. Excel stores the number as the new rounded number, the original value is removed.

The syntax of the ROUND function is: ROUND(number,num_digits)

The number argument specifies the number that is to be rounded. The number argument can be a specified value (for example, 1234.4321) or a cell reference (such as A2).

The num_digits argument is the number of digits to which the number argument will be rounded. The num_digits argument can be a specified value or a cell reference to a cell that contains the num_digits value.

  • A 0 (zero) num_digits argument rounds a whole number to the nearest integer and rounds a decimal value to a whole number. For example, the function =ROUND(1234.4321,0) rounds the number to 1234.
  • A positive num_digits argument (the argument is greater than 0) rounds the number to the specified number of decimal places. A positive num_digits argument rounds the number to the right of the decimal point. For example, the function =ROUND(1234.4321,2) rounds the number to 1234.43.
  • A negative num_digits argument (the argument is less than 0) rounds the number to the left of the decimal point. For example, the function =ROUND(1234.4321,-2) rounds the number to 1200.

When Excel uses the ROUND function to round numbers, it follows conventional rounding rules. For values that are less than 5, Excel rounds down to the nearest number. For values that are 5 or higher, Excel rounds up to the nearest number.

To round all numbers up, use the ROUNDUP function. To round all numbers down, use the ROUNDDOWN function.

Here are some examples of how the ROUND function is used in Excel:

Examples of the ROUND function in Excel

Apply the Round Formula in Excel to a Number

When you want to see the effect rounding has on a number, enter that value as the number argument in the ROUND function.

To display the results of a rounded number:

  1. Select a cell in the worksheet that will contain the result of the formula.

  2. In the formula bar, enter =ROUND. As you type, Excel suggests possible functions. Double-click ROUND.

    Enter the ROUND function in the Excel formula bar.
  3. Enter the number you want to round, followed by a comma (,).

  4. Enter the number of digits to which you want to round the value.

  5. Enter a closing parenthesis and press Enter.

    The result of the ROUND function in an Excel worksheet
  6. The rounded number appears in the selected cell.

    The result of the ROUND function when rounding a value

Round Existing Values with the ROUND Function

When you have a worksheet full of data, and you want to round columns of numbers, apply the ROUND function to one cell, then copy the formula to the other cells.

To use the Function Arguments dialog box to enter the ROUND function:

  1. Enter the data you want to round.

    Example data for the Excel ROUND function
  2. Select the first cell that will contain the result of the formula.

  3. Select Formulas > Math & Trig > Round.

    The Formulas tab in Excel with the ROUND function selected
  4. Place the cursor in the Number text box, then go to the worksheet and select the first cell in the column of numbers you want to round.

  5. Place the cursor in the Num_digits text box and enter the number that corresponds to how you want to round the number.

  6. Select OK.

    The Function Arguments dialog box for the ROUND function
  7. Select the cell that contains the formula results.

  8. Drag the fill handle to the bottom of the column of values.

    Copy the ROUND function to other cells
  9. The ROUND function is copied to the cells, and the rounded numbers for each value appear.

    A single ROUND formula is copied to all cells in a column
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