Math & Trig

ISO.CEILING Function in Excel

Returns a number that is rounded up to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance, regardless of sign.

Syntax

  • =ISO.CEILING(number, [significance])

Arguments

  • number (required): The value to round up
  • significance (optional): The multiple to round to (default is 1)

Examples

  • =ISO.CEILING(4.3) - Round up to nearest integer - Result: 5
  • =ISO.CEILING(-4.3) - Round negative up toward zero - Result: -4
  • =ISO.CEILING(4.3, 2) - Round up to nearest multiple of 2 - Result: 6

ISO.CEILING in reporting workflows

  • Use absolute references when copying formulas across rows.
  • For conditional totals see [SUMIF](/functions/sumif/) and [SUMIFS](/functions/sumifs/).
  • Filtered lists may need [SUBTOTAL](/functions/subtotal/) instead of SUM on visible cells only.

Common errors

  • Different from CEILING for negative numbers

Use cases

  • Rounding calculations
  • Price rounding
  • Inventory quantities

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the ISO.CEILING function in Excel? ISO.CEILING returns a number that is rounded up to the nearest integer or to the nearest multiple of significance, regardless of sign. The syntax is =ISO.CEILING(number, [significance]). Typical use cases include rounding calculations, price rounding, inventory quantities.
  • How do I use the ISO.CEILING function? To use ISO.CEILING, type =ISO.CEILING( in a cell and provide the required arguments. Excel will show you the syntax and parameter hints as you type. Make sure to close the parentheses and press Enter to execute the function.
  • What happens if ISO.CEILING encounters errors? If ISO.CEILING encounters invalid arguments or calculation errors, it may return error values like #VALUE!, #NUM!, or #DIV/0!. Check your input values and ensure they meet the function's requirements.
  • Why is ISO.CEILING not working in my Excel? Common issues with ISO.CEILING include Different from CEILING for negative numbers. Start by checking the syntax =ISO.CEILING(number, [significance]), then verify each referenced cell or range.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.