ROUND function

ROUND returns a number rounded to a specified number of decimal places, using standard rounding rules (0.5 rounds up).

=ROUND(number, num_digits)

Generate a ROUND formula

Describe what you need. The generator will reach for ROUND where ROUND is the right tool, and tell you when it is not.

How to get a better answer
  • Name your columns by letter and by header: "column F (Net Value)" beats "the amount column".
  • State every condition, including the negatives — "not cancelled" changes the formula's shape.
  • Say where the data starts if it is not row 1, and whether it will grow.
  • Check the settings above match your spreadsheet: the wrong argument separator is a syntax error on your machine.

Arguments

How ROUND reads its arguments
numberrequirednum_digitsrequiredROUND →
ArgumentRequiredDescription
numberRequiredThe numeric value to round; can be a literal, cell reference, or formula result. Non-numeric text produces #VALUE!.
num_digitsRequiredThe number of decimal places to keep (positive) or digits to round left of decimal (negative); must be a whole number.

Returns

A number rounded to the specified number of decimal places.

Availability

Excel: All · Google Sheets: Supported

Worked examples

1. Round repair cost to nearest dollar

VehicleOdometerService DateCostGarage
Van-0145823.4562024-03-15127.50Downtown
=ROUND(D2,0)

Result: 128

The cost 127.50 rounds to 128 when num_digits is 0. ROUND uses standard rounding: .5 or higher rounds up, below .5 rounds down.

2. Round odometer reading to nearest hundred miles

VehicleOdometerService DateCostGarage
Truck-0167234.1232024-03-17234.67Downtown
=ROUND(B3,-2)

Result: 67200

With num_digits set to -2, ROUND rounds to the hundreds place. The value 67234 becomes 67200 because 234 is closer to 200 than to 300.

3. Calculate average service cost rounded to cents

VehicleOdometerService DateCostGarage
Van-0145823.4562024-03-15127.50Downtown
Van-0232156.7892024-03-1685.99Uptown
Truck-0167234.1232024-03-17234.67Downtown
=ROUND(AVERAGE(D2:D4),2)

Result: 149.39

The average of 127.50, 85.99, and 234.67 equals 149.3866… Rounding to 2 decimal places (num_digits=2) gives 149.39, the standard format for currency display.

Common errors

Which ROUND error are you seeing?
ROUND returned an error#VALUE!
Ensure the number argument is numeric; reference a cell with numbers, or convert text with VALUE() if needed.
#VALUE!
Replace num_digits with an integer: 0 for whole numbers, 1–2 for decimals, or negative values like -1 or -2 for left-side rounding.
#NULL!
Replace the space with a comma: =ROUND(127.50,0).
ErrorWhy it happensHow to fix it
#VALUE!The number argument contains non-numeric text, such as =ROUND("maintenance",0) or referencing a cell with text.Ensure the number argument is numeric; reference a cell with numbers, or convert text with VALUE() if needed.
#VALUE!The num_digits argument is not numeric, such as =ROUND(127.50,"two") or a text reference.Replace num_digits with an integer: 0 for whole numbers, 1–2 for decimals, or negative values like -1 or -2 for left-side rounding.
#NULL!A syntax error where a space is used instead of a comma separator, such as =ROUND(127.50 0).Replace the space with a comma: =ROUND(127.50,0).

Tips and when to use something else

  • To round currency to cents, use =ROUND(amount,2). For whole dollars, use =ROUND(amount,0) and format the result as currency.
  • Negative num_digits rounds to the left of the decimal: -1 rounds to tens place, -2 to hundreds, -3 to thousands.
  • ROUND always uses standard rounding (0.5 rounds up). For different behaviors, use ROUNDUP (always up), ROUNDDOWN (always down), or MROUND (round to nearest multiple).
  • Display formatting (like showing 2 decimal places) is not the same as actual rounding; ROUND changes the underlying value, while formatting only changes how it looks.

Related functions

ROUNDUPRounds a number up to a specified number of decimal places, always rounding away from zero, useful for conservative financial estimates.ROUNDDOWNROUNDDOWN returns a number rounded down toward zero to the specified number of decimal places, useful for inventory and billing calculations.MROUNDMROUND rounds a number to the nearest multiple of a specified value, useful for rounding to standard increments like 5, 10, or 100.INTINT rounds any number down to the nearest whole integer, always discarding decimal places and rounding toward negative infinity.TRUNCTRUNC removes decimal places from a number without rounding, returning a truncated integer—use it when you need precise decimal removal without rounding.

Frequently asked questions

How do I round to the nearest 5 or 10?
Use MROUND instead of ROUND. For example, =MROUND(67234,5) rounds to the nearest 5, and =MROUND(67234,10) rounds to the nearest 10. ROUND only rounds to powers of 10 when using negative num_digits.
What's the difference between ROUND(amount,0) and INT(amount)?
ROUND(amount,0) rounds to the nearest integer (so 127.5 becomes 128), while INT(amount) always truncates down (so 127.9 becomes 127). Use ROUND for standard rounding and INT only when you want to discard decimals.
Can I apply ROUND to a range of cells all at once?
No; ROUND processes one number at a time. To round multiple cells, copy the formula down a column, or in modern Excel use an array formula with Ctrl+Shift+Enter. Older Excel versions may require a helper column.
Why does my result look rounded but still shows many decimal places in formulas?
Formatting (like currency with 2 decimals) only changes the display, not the actual value. ROUND actually changes the stored value. If you only formatted, create a ROUND formula and copy the results back as values to truly reduce the decimal precision.

Need a different formula?

The full generator is not scoped to one function — describe any spreadsheet problem and it will pick.

Open the formula generator

Reviewed 2026-09-17