Rounding numbers in Google Sheets is a simple yet powerful way to clean up and organize your data. With just a few clicks, you can round numbers to make them easier to work with and understand. In this article, we’ll cover 5 easy methods to round numbers in Google Sheets so you can quickly get the results you need.
Whether you want to round numbers to the nearest whole number, decimal place, or significant figure, Google Sheets provides several built-in functions to round values up or down.
We’ll walk through using the ROUND, ROUNDUP, ROUNDDOWN, MROUND, and CEILING functions with examples to round numbers in Google Sheets.
With these handy functions, you’ll be able to round numbers in columns, rows, cells, or your entire dataset with just a simple formula.
Exploring the Different Rounding Functions in Google Sheets
Google Sheets provides multiple rounding functions to meet different needs when working with numbers. Instead of manually rounding values, you can use these easy built-in formulas to round your figures in a snap. Here are 4 handy rounding functions in Google Sheets:
- ROUND: Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places. Useful for rounding to the nearest whole number or decimal.
- ROUNDUP: Rounds a number up to a specified number of decimal places. Great for always rounding numbers up.
- ROUNDDOWN: Rounds a number down to a specified number of decimal places. Helpful for always rounding down.
- MROUND: Rounds a number to the nearest multiple of a specified value. Ideal for rounding to intervals.
With this variety of rounding functions, you can easily adjust Google Sheet numbers for any situation. The formulas allow rounding to various decimal places, up or down, and to customized intervals. Instead of rounding figures manually, put these functions to work to save time and effort while analyzing and presenting data.
Copy Sample Sheet
If you want to follow along with today’s tutorial, you’re welcome to copy our sample sheet via the link below.
Click Here to Copy Sample Sheet
Rounding Numbers in Google Sheets: How Google’s Formulas Follow Math Rounding Rules
Before we show you how to round numbers in Google Sheets, let’s quickly understand the logic behind rounding numbers, specifically, how it works.
When you round a number, Google Sheets looks at the digit to the right of the one being rounded. If that digit is less than 5, the number rounds down unchanged to the nearest lower digit. For example, 1.233 rounded to two decimal places becomes 1.23.
However, if the digit is 5 or greater, Google Sheets rounds up to the next higher digit. Following the rounding rules, 1.238 rounded to two decimal places becomes 1.24.
This logic applies whether you’re rounding whole numbers or decimals. Google Sheets simply examines the critical digit to determine whether to round up or down per the conventional rounding guidelines.
Rounding Numbers in Sheets with the ROUND Function
The ROUND function is by far the easiest way to round numbers in Google Sheets. With just one simple formula, you can round figures to the exact decimal place needed.
But before we delve into the practical aspect of rounding numbers in Google Sheets using this function, let’s understand the syntax of this function:
The ROUND function uses this syntax:
=ROUND(number, num_digits)Where:
- “number” is the cell reference or value you want to round
- “num_digits” is the number of decimal places to round to
Now that you know the ROUND syntax, let’s quickly show you a practical way of using this function to round numbers in Google Sheets.
For our example, we will use the following sample data.
Step 1: Select a Blank Cell
We first want to choose the cell where we want the rounded number to be generated. For this example, we will use cell C4. So select that cell in your spreadsheet if you’re following along with this example.
Step 2: Enter the ROUND Formula
With the cell where we want our result generated selected, it’s time to make the magic happen. Here, we want to enter the ROUND formula. To do that, navigate to the formula bar and type the following formula:
=ROUND(A4, 1)
Step 3: Hit Enter
With the ROUND formula executed as shown in the previous step. All we need to do is hit the Enter button on our keyboard. Google Sheets will automatically generate the result in the selected cell.
Here, take a look at the result we got after executing the roundup formula we showed you:
In the example above, we rounded 1.234 to 1 decimal place using the ROUND formula. But typing that formula for every cell would be tedious. Fortunately, Google Sheets has an auto-fill shortcut to apply formulas swiftly.
After entering the ROUND formula in the first cell, click on the small blue square in the corner and drag down to auto-populate the column. Google Sheets will automatically apply the formula to the selected cells.
The video below provides better insight on how to apply the Google Sheets auto-fill feature.
This auto-fill feature is a huge timesaver when you need to repeat the same calculation across rows or columns. No need to manually copy/paste formulas – just use auto-fill.
With the versatile ROUND function, you can quickly tidy round numbers in Google Sheets and tidy your data for easier analysis and reporting.
How to Round Numbers in Google Sheets Using the Roundup Function
In the previous section, we explored the standard ROUND function, which can be deployed to round numbers down or up per rounding rules. However, there are times when you want to round numbers up regardless of the decimal. This is where the ROUNDUP function comes in handy.
The ROUNDUP function rounds numbers up to the specified decimal place instead of following standard rounding rules.
Before we show you the ROUNDUP function in action using practical examples, let’s quickly see what the ROUNDUP function syntax looks like:
For starters, here is the syntax for the ROUNDUP function.
=ROUNDUP(number, num_digits)Note: This works exactly like the ROUND function, except the ROUNDUP function will always round the number up rather than down.
Now that you have an idea of how the ROUNDUP function works in principle, let’s quickly show you how to round up numbers in Google Sheets using this function.
We will use the same sample data we used in the previous examples for this one.
With our sample data nicely put together, let’s get down to business.
Step 1: Choose A Blank Cell
Let’s begin by choosing a blank cell in our spreadsheet. This is going to be where we want the round-up result for our original number to be generated. For this example, we will choose cell C4.
Step 2: Enter the ROUNDUP formula
Having selected the cell where you want the roundup result to be generated, what we need to do is apply the ROUNDUP formula.
To do that, head to the formula bar and type in the following formula:
Step 3: Press Enter
Now that you have entered the formula like we described above, let’s quickly execute the formula. To do that, all you need to do is press the Enter button on your keyboard. This action authorizes Google Sheets to generate the roundup result in the selected cell.
If you followed the steps exactly as we showed you, you should have a result that looks like this.
In the example above, we used ROUNDUP to round 1.234 up to 1.3 with one decimal place. But manually entering the same formula for every cell would be tedious.
Luckily, Google Sheets has an auto-fill option to apply a formula to multiple cells quickly.
After entering the ROUNDUP formula in the first cell, simply click and drag the small blue square down the column to select the cells to auto-fill.
Sheets will automatically copy the formula to all the selected cells. Now you’ve instantly rounded up the entire column with a couple of clicks.
The video below shows exactly how the Google Sheets auto-fill option works.
The ROUNDUP function gives full control over rounding direction. Give it a try when you need to round Google Sheet numbers up to the specified decimal place.
How to Round in Google Sheets to the Nearest Integer Multiple (MROUND Function)
Previously, we covered powerful rounding functions, like ROUND and ROUNDUP, for decimal-based rounding in Google Sheets.
Now, let’s look at a rounding method that provides even more flexibility – the MROUND function.
While the other functions round numbers to set decimal places, MROUND allows you to round numbers to multiples of any factor you specify.
But before we jump into the practical aspect of rounding numbers in Google Sheets using this method, let’s look at the syntax for the MROUND function.
The MROUND formula follows this structure:
=MROUND(number,multiple)Where:
- “number” is the value you want to round
- “multiple” is the factor to round to the nearest multiple.
Having provided clarifications on the syntax for the MROUND function, let’s see how you can use it to round numbers in Google Sheets.
For this example, we will use the following sample data to show you how to round numbers in Google Sheets using the MROUND function.
Let’s get started.
Step 1: Choose a Blank Cell
First, let’s choose a blank cell in our spreadsheet. This is where we want the rounded number to be generated. For this example, we will go with cell F4.
Step 2: Enter the MROUND formula
Now, head to the formula bar and type in the following formula:
=MROUND(A4,B4)
Step 3: Press Enter
Having applied the formula like we showed you. Simply press the Enter button on your keyboard. The rounded number should be generated in the selected cell.
Here is what ours looks like:
Looking closely at the image above, you can see that we have used the MROUND function to round the original number 127 in our sample data to 128.
But that result is for only the first number. To generate the result for the other numbers, you can use the Google Sheets auto-fill option, as we showed you in the previous methods.
You should have something like this if you followed precisely how we showed you to use the Google Sheets auto-fill option.
Round Numbers in Google Sheets Using the CEILING Function
In addition to the rounding functions we’ve covered, Google Sheets has a CEILING function to round numbers up. This allows rounding to clean multiples and intervals.
Here is the syntax for the CEILING function:
=CEILING(number,significance)In this syntax,
- “number” is the value to round up
- “significance” is the multiple to round up to
We will use the following sample data to show you how to use the CEILING function to round numbers in Google Sheets.
Step 1: Choose an Empty Cell
Begin by picking an empty cell in your spreadsheet. This is where we want the rounded number to appear. Just as we did in previous examples, let’s choose cell F4.
Step 2: Enter the CEILING formula
Done choosing the cell where you want the result to be generated? Great. Now, navigate to the formula bar and type in the following formula:
=CEILING(A4,B4)
Step 3: Press Enter
Once you’ve typed the formula like we showed you in the previous step, hit the Enter key on your keyboard. Google Sheets will then display the result in the chosen cell.
If you did exactly as we showed you, you should have something like this:
To get the result for the other numbers, simply use the auto-fill option as we discussed earlier.
Round Down Numbers in Sheets with ROUNDDOWN
To round down numbers in Google Sheets, you can use the ROUNDDOWN function, which operates similarly to the ROUND function but always rounds the value downward.
The ROUNDDOWN function’s syntax is identical to that of the ROUND function:
=ROUNDDOWN(value, [places])Now that you know the basics of the ROUNDDOWN function, let’s show you how to use it to round down numbers in Google Sheets.
For this example, we will use the following sample data.
Step 1: Choose a Blank Cell
Open the spreadsheet with your data and choose an empty cell. This is where the rounded-down result will show up. For this tutorial, we will select cell F4.
Step 2: Input the ROUNDDOWN Formula
Next, go to the formula bar and enter the following formula:
=ROUNDDOWN(A4,B4)Step 3: Press Enter
Now that you’ve input the formula as we demonstrated, simply press the Enter key on your keyboard. The result will appear immediately in the chosen cell.
Take a look at our example to see what it looks like:
To get results for the remaining numbers, just use the auto-fill option in Google Sheets. This saves you from having to repeat the whole process.
Final Thoughts
After walking through all these practical examples, you have seen firsthand how easy it is to round numbers in Google Sheets using the built-in functions.
Key takeaways:
- ROUND, ROUNDUP, ROUNDDOWN handle decimal rounding
- MROUND rounds numbers to any multiple
- CEILING rounds up to clean multiples
- Autofill instantly applies to entire columns
Rounding not only tidies up your spreadsheet data but also improves calculations, analysis, and reporting. No more clutter from insignificant decimals places.
The next time you need to round worksheet numbers, leverage these powerful functions. Whether rounding whole figures, decimals, or multiples, Google Sheets has you covered.
Rounding numbers to customize and organize data is an essential spreadsheet skill. With this guide, you now have a handy reference to round numbers like a pro in Google Sheets.