ROUND Function in Google Sheets
Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places using standard half-away-from-zero rounding. The everyday rounding function.
Syntax
ROUND(value, [places])Returns: The rounded number.
Excel equivalent: ROUND (identical)
Parameters
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| value | Required | The number to round. |
| places | Optional | Number of decimal places. Default 0 (round to integer). Negative values round to tens, hundreds, etc. |
Examples
Round to 2 decimals
=ROUND(A2, 2)1.23456 becomes 1.23. Common for currency display.
Round to integer
=ROUND(A2, 0)1.5 becomes 2, 2.5 also becomes 3 (half-away-from-zero). For banker's rounding (half-to-even), use MROUND or write a custom lambda.
Round to nearest hundred
=ROUND(A2, -2)Negative places round LEFT of the decimal. 1247 becomes 1200. -2 = hundreds, -3 = thousands.
When to use an alternative
- ROUNDUP / ROUNDDOWN — You always want to round up or always down.
- MROUND — You want to round to the nearest multiple of something other than a power of 10.
- TEXT for display only — You want formatted display without changing the underlying value.
Common errors and how to fix them
Display still shows extra decimals
Cause: Confused ROUND with display formatting.
Fix: ROUND changes the actual value. Use Format → Number → Custom format to control display only.
Related functions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ROUND use banker's rounding?
No — ROUND in Google Sheets uses half-away-from-zero rounding (1.5 → 2, 2.5 → 3, -1.5 → -2). For banker's rounding (half-to-even), there's no built-in; write a LAMBDA or use MROUND in a wrapper.
What happens with negative numbers?
ROUND moves away from zero. ROUND(-1.5, 0) = -2. ROUND(-1.4, 0) = -1. The magnitude rounds normally, then the sign is preserved.