number - Required. The number you want to round (cell reference or calculation)
num_digits - Required. Number of decimal places. Use 0 for whole numbers, negative for rounding left of decimal (e.g., -2 for nearest hundred)
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Value | Formula | Result |
| 2 | 3.14159 | ||
| 3 | Round to 2 decimals: | =ROUND(A2, 2) 3.14 |
Example: A1=45.8573
=ROUND(45.8573, 2) → 45.86
Example: A1=3.7
=ROUND(3.7, 0) → 4
Example: A1=456
=ROUND(456, -1) → 460
Example: A1=4567
=ROUND(4567, -2) → 4600
After applying discounts, taxes, and markups, prices often have many decimal places like $45.8573829. The ROUND function in Excel cleans these to exactly 2 decimal places for invoices, receipts, and price tags. This Excel ROUND formula ensures consistent currency formatting across financial systems, prevents rounding errors in payment processing, and displays professional pricing in e-commerce catalogs. Essential for accountants, retailers, and anyone handling monetary calculations where pennies matter.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Raw Price | Display Price |
| 2 | Laptop | $45.8573 | |
| 3 | Mouse | $12.3449 | |
| 4 | Formula: | =ROUND(A2, 2) $45.86 |
Project budgets and financial forecasts look cleaner when rounded to significant figures. Use negative num_digits to round left of the decimal point. The ROUND function in Excel with -2 rounds to nearest hundred ($4,567 becomes $4,600), perfect for executive summaries and high-level budget presentations. This Excel ROUND formula pattern is standard in financial planning, grant proposals, and strategic planning documents where precision isn't needed but readability is critical.
| A | B | C | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project | Exact Cost | Estimate |
| 2 | Website | $4,567 | |
| 3 | Marketing | $12,345 | |
| 4 | Formula: | =ROUND(A2, -2) $4,600 |
❌ The Problem:
✅ Solution:
=ROUND(3.7, 0)Always specify num_digits. Use 0 for whole numbers, 2 for cents, negative for left of decimal. The ROUND function in Excel requires this parameter to know your rounding precision - there is no default value.
❌ The Problem:
✅ Solution:
=ROUND(3.14159, 2)Use ROUND to actually change the stored value to 3.14. Cell formatting only affects display, not calculation. The Excel ROUND formula modifies the underlying number, ensuring consistent results in all downstream calculations and exports.
❌ The Problem:
✅ Solution:
=ROUND(SUM(A1:A10)/SUM(B1:B10), 2)Round only the final result, not intermediate calculations. Keep full precision during calculations, round only at the end. Use the ROUND function in Excel strategically to maintain accuracy while displaying clean numbers.
Master these ROUND variants:
From basics to advanced - AI generates perfect formulas instantly.