What is the syntax for ROUND in Excel?

The syntax for ROUND is: =ROUND(number, num_digits)

What are common errors with ROUND?

Rounds 5 up (banker's rounding not used). Negative num_digits rounds left of decimal

How does ROUND handle .5 values?

ROUND uses standard rounding: .5 rounds up. =ROUND(2.5, 0) returns 3, =ROUND(3.5, 0) returns 4. This differs from banker's rounding (round half to even) used in some systems.

What is the difference between ROUND, ROUNDUP, and ROUNDDOWN?

ROUND uses standard rounding (nearest). ROUNDUP always rounds away from zero. ROUNDDOWN always rounds toward zero (truncates). =ROUND(2.4,0)=2, =ROUNDUP(2.4,0)=3, =ROUNDDOWN(2.6,0)=2.

How do I round to the nearest 5 or 10?

Use MROUND: =MROUND(A1, 5) rounds to nearest 5, =MROUND(A1, 10) to nearest 10. Or use ROUND with negative digits: =ROUND(A1, -1) rounds to nearest 10.

What does negative num_digits mean?

Negative values round to the left of the decimal: -1 rounds to tens, -2 to hundreds, -3 to thousands. =ROUND(1234, -2) returns 1200. Useful for significant figures.

Should I round intermediate calculations?

Generally, no. Round only final results to avoid cumulative rounding errors. Exception: financial calculations may require rounding at each step per accounting rules.

Math & Trig

ROUND Function in Excel

Rounds a number to a specified number of digits.

Syntax

=ROUND(number, num_digits)

Arguments

number (required): The number to round
num_digits (required): Number of decimal places (negative for left of decimal)

Examples

=ROUND(3.14159, 2) - Round to 2 decimal places - Result: 3.14
=ROUND(1234.5, -2) - Round to nearest hundred - Result: 1200
=ROUND(A1*B1, 2) - Round calculation result - Result: Rounded product

ROUND 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

Rounds 5 up (banker's rounding not used)
Negative num_digits rounds left of decimal

Use cases

Financial calculations
Display formatting
Precision control

Frequently asked questions

How does ROUND handle .5 values? ROUND uses standard rounding: .5 rounds up. =ROUND(2.5, 0) returns 3, =ROUND(3.5, 0) returns 4. This differs from banker's rounding (round half to even) used in some systems.
What is the difference between ROUND, ROUNDUP, and ROUNDDOWN? ROUND uses standard rounding (nearest). ROUNDUP always rounds away from zero. ROUNDDOWN always rounds toward zero (truncates). =ROUND(2.4,0)=2, =ROUNDUP(2.4,0)=3, =ROUNDDOWN(2.6,0)=2.
How do I round to the nearest 5 or 10? Use MROUND: =MROUND(A1, 5) rounds to nearest 5, =MROUND(A1, 10) to nearest 10. Or use ROUND with negative digits: =ROUND(A1, -1) rounds to nearest 10.
What does negative num_digits mean? Negative values round to the left of the decimal: -1 rounds to tens, -2 to hundreds, -3 to thousands. =ROUND(1234, -2) returns 1200. Useful for significant figures.
Should I round intermediate calculations? Generally, no. Round only final results to avoid cumulative rounding errors. Exception: financial calculations may require rounding at each step per accounting rules.

Editorial review

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