How to Round Numbers Down in Excel With the ROUNDDOWN Function

Learn how to round down in Excel

What to Know

  • Select a cell for the result > choose Formulas > Math & Trig > ROUNDDOWN.
  • Next, select the Number line. Choose the cell containing the number to be rounded.
  • Choose the Num_digits line, then enter the number of decimal places for the rounded number. Select OK.

This article explains how to round down numbers in Excel using the ROUNDDOWN function.

The ROUNDDOWN Function's Syntax and Arguments

Rounding numbers in Excel with the ROUND function

TThe ROUNDDOWN function is used to reduce a value by a specific number of decimal places or digits. It keeps the rounding digit the same, alters the value of the data in the cell, and rounds towards zero.

The syntax for the ROUNDDOWN function is 

= ROUNDDOWN (Number, Num_digits)

The arguments for the function are:

Number — (required) the value to be rounded. This argument can contain the actual data for rounding, or it can be a cell reference to the location of the data in the worksheet.

Num_digits — (required) the number of digits to which the Number argument will be rounded.

  • If the Num_digits argument is set to 0, the function rounds the value down to the nearest integer.
  • If the Num_digits argument is set to 1, the function leaves only one digit to the right of the decimal point and rounds it down to the next number.
  • If the Num_digits argument is negative, all decimal places are removed, and the function rounds that number of digits to the left of the decimal point towards zero. For example, if the value of the Num_digits argument is set to -2, the function removes all digits to the right of the decimal point, rounding the first and second digits to the left of the decimal point down to the nearest 100.

The image above displays examples and gives explanations for several results returned by Excel's ROUNDDOWN function for data in column A of the worksheet. The results (shown in column C) depend upon the value of the Num_digits argument.

The instructions below detail the steps taken to reduce the number in cell A2 in the image above to two decimal places using the ROUNDDOWN function. Because the function always rounds down, the rounding digit does not change.

 

Enter the ROUNDDOWN Function

The ROUNDOWN function argument dialog box in Excel.

Options for entering the function and its arguments include:

  • Typing the complete function: =ROUNDDOWN(A2,2) into cell C3 in the worksheet;
  • Selecting the function and arguments using the function's dialog box.

Using the dialog box simplifies entering the function's arguments. With this method, it is not necessary to enter commas between each of the function's arguments.

The steps below show how to enter the ROUNDDOWN function using the dialog box in Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, and Excel for Mac.

  1. Select cell C3 to make it the active cell. The results of the ROUNDDOWN function will be displayed here.
  2. Select Formulas.
  3. Choose Math & Trig to open the function drop-down list.
  4. Select ROUNDDOWN in the list to bring up the function's dialog box.
  5. In the dialog box, select the Number line.
  6. Select cell A2 in the worksheet to enter that cell reference into the dialog box as the location of the number to be rounded.
  7. Select the Num_digits line.
  8. Enter "2" to reduce the number in A2 from 5 to 2 decimal places.
  9. Select OK to close the dialog box and return to the worksheet.
  10. The answer 567.96 appears in cell C3.

When you select cell C2, the complete function =ROUNDDOWN(A2,2) appears in the formula bar above the worksheet.

Excel Online does not have a Formulas tab. To use the ROUNDDOWN function in Excel Online, use the Formula bar. 

  1. Select cell C3 to make it the active cell. The results of the ROUNDDOWN function will be displayed here.
  2. Select the Insert Function button next to the Formula bar.
  3. Select Math & Trig from the Pick a Category drop-down list.
  4. Select ROUNDDOWN in the Pick a Function list.
  5. Select OK.
  6. Select cell A2 to select it for the Number argument.
  7. Enter "2" to reduce the number in A2 from 5 to 2 decimal places.
  8. Press Enter.

When you select cell C2, the complete function =ROUNDDOWN(A2,2)  appears in the formula bar above the worksheet.

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