Math & Trig

ROUNDUP Function in Excel

Rounds a number up, away from zero.

Syntax

  • =ROUNDUP(number, num_digits)

Arguments

  • number (required): The number to round up
  • num_digits (required): Number of decimal places

Examples

  • =ROUNDUP(3.2, 0) - Round up to integer - Result: 4
  • =ROUNDUP(76.9, -1) - Round up to tens - Result: 80

ROUNDUP 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

  • Always rounds away from zero

Use cases

  • Conservative estimates
  • Ceiling calculations
  • Buffer amounts

Frequently asked questions

  • How does ROUNDUP handle negative numbers? ROUNDUP always rounds away from zero. =ROUNDUP(-3.2, 0) returns -4, not -3. It increases the absolute value. For negative numbers, this means going more negative.
  • How do I round up to the nearest thousand? Use negative num_digits: =ROUNDUP(12345, -3) returns 13000. The -3 means round to thousands place. Similarly, -2 rounds to hundreds, -1 to tens.

Editorial review

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

When to use ROUNDUP

  • Conservative estimates — common Math & Trig scenario for ROUNDUP.
  • Ceiling calculations — common Math & Trig scenario for ROUNDUP.
  • Buffer amounts — common Math & Trig scenario for ROUNDUP.

ROUNDUP in the Math & Trig category

  • Browse all Math & Trig functions at /categories/math-trig/ for related formulas.
  • ROUNDUP syntax: =ROUNDUP(number, num_digits)
  • number (required): The number to round up
  • num_digits (required): Number of decimal places
  • Confirm ROUNDUP arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm ROUNDUP arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • ROUNDDOWN (/functions/rounddown/): Rounds a number down, toward zero.
  • ROUND (/functions/round/): Rounds a number to a specified number of digits.
  • CEILING (/functions/ceiling/): Rounds a number up to the nearest multiple of significance.

Errors to watch for

  • Always rounds away from zero — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter ROUNDUP on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

ROUNDUP worked examples to copy

  • =ROUNDUP(3.2, 0) — Round up to integer. Expected result: 4.
  • =ROUNDUP(76.9, -1) — Round up to tens. Expected result: 80.

ROUNDUP reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • ROUNDUP belongs to the Math & Trig category in Excel. Rounds a number up, away from zero.
  • Full syntax: =ROUNDUP(number, num_digits). Open /functions/roundup/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: Always rounds away from zero
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.