Excel ROUND, ROUNDUP and ROUNDDOWN: round numbers the right way

Updated October 29, 2026 · 3 min read

=ROUND(number, digits) rounds to the number of decimal places you choose. =ROUND(AVERAGE(B2:B7),0) turns 1,207.5 into 1,208. Use ROUNDUP or ROUNDDOWN to always go one direction.

The examples use the same sales table as the practice box below.

A RepB SalesE RegionH Hired
2Dana1,250East3/12/2018
3Luis830West7/1/2021
4Priya2,100East11/20/2016
5Marcus475North2/15/2023
6Jen990West9/3/2019
7Omar1,600East1/27/2020

Syntax

=ROUND(number, num_digits)
=ROUNDUP(number, num_digits)
=ROUNDDOWN(number, num_digits)

Examples

FormulaResultWhy
=ROUND(AVERAGE(B2:B7),0)1,208Whole number
=ROUNDUP(1207.5,0)1,208Always up
=ROUNDDOWN(1207.5,0)1,207Always down
=ROUND(B2*0.0375,2)46.88To the cent
=ROUND(1207.5,-2)1,200To the nearest hundred

Formatting is not rounding

The Decrease Decimal button changes what you see, not the value. A cell showing 1,208 might still hold 1,207.5, and totals built on it will be off by a few cents. When a test says "round," use ROUND.

Negative digits

A negative num_digits rounds to the left of the decimal: -1 to tens, -2 to hundreds, -3 to thousands. Handy for budgets and estimates.

Other rounding functions

  • MROUND(B2,25) rounds to the nearest 25.
  • INT(B2) drops the decimals, always rounding down for positive numbers.
  • CEILING and FLOOR round up or down to a multiple.

Try it: Rounded average

Show the team's average sale in B8, rounded to a whole number.

B8

Graded live, like a real Excel test. Press New numbers to prove you didn't memorize the answer. More practice

Questions people ask

Does Excel round 0.5 up?

Yes. ROUND rounds halves away from zero, so 2.5 becomes 3 and -2.5 becomes -3.

How do I round to the nearest dollar?

Use =ROUND(B2,0).

Practice on a real spreadsheet

CellReady grades your formula the moment you press Enter and tells you why a wrong answer is wrong. The first 7 lessons are free, with no sign-up to start.

Start lesson one

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