Purpose
Return value
Syntax
=TRUNC(number,[num_digits])- number - The number to truncate.
- num_digits - [optional] The precision of the truncation (default is 0).
Using the TRUNC function
The TRUNC function returns a truncated number based on an (optional) number of digits. For example, TRUNC(4.9) will return 4, and TRUNC(-3.5) will return -3. The TRUNC function does no rounding, it simply truncates as specified.
The TRUNC function takes two arguments: number and num_digits. Number is the numeric value to truncate. The num_digits argument is optional and specifies the place at which number should be truncated. Num_digits defaults to zero (0).
Examples
By default, TRUNC will return the integer portion of a number:
=TRUNC(4.9) // returns 4
=TRUNC(-3.5) // returns -3
To control the place at which number is truncated, provide a value for num_digits.
=TRUNC(3.141593) // returns 3
=TRUNC(3.141593,0) // returns 3
=TRUNC(3.141593,1) // returns 3.1
=TRUNC(3.141593,2) // returns 3.14
=TRUNC(3.141593,3) // returns 3.141
When num_digits is negative, the TRUNC function will replace the number at a given place with zero:
=TRUNC(999.99,0) // returns 999
=TRUNC(999.99,-1) // returns 990
=TRUNC(999.99,-2) // returns 900
TRUNC vs. INT
The TRUNC function is similar to the INT function because they both can return the integer part of a number. However, TRUNC simply truncates a number, while INT actually rounds a number down to an integer. With positive numbers, and when TRUNC is using the default of 0 for num_digits, both functions return the same results. With negative numbers, the results can be different. INT(-3.1) returns -4, because INT rounds down to the lower integer. TRUNC(-3.1) returns -3. If you simply want the integer part of a number, you should use TRUNC.
Rounding functions in Excel
Excel provides a number of functions for rounding:
- To round normally, use the ROUND function.
- To round to the nearest multiple, use the MROUND function.
- To round down to the nearest specified place, use the ROUNDDOWN function.
- To round down to the nearest specified multiple, use the FLOOR function.
- To round up to the nearest specified place, use the ROUNDUP function.
- To round up to the nearest specified multiple, use the CEILING function.
- To round down and return an integer only, use the INT function.
- To truncate decimal places, use the TRUNC function.
TRUNC function examples
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TRUNC function videos
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Related functions
INT Function
The Excel INT function returns the integer part of a decimal number by rounding down to the integer. Note that negative numbers become more negative. For example, while INT(10.8) returns 10, INT(-10.8) returns -11.
TRUNC Function
The Excel TRUNC function returns a truncated number based on an (optional) number of digits. For example, TRUNC(4.9) will return 4, and TRUNC(-3.5) will return -3. The TRUNC function does no rounding, it simply truncates as specified.
ROUND Function
The Excel ROUND function returns a number rounded to a given number of digits. The ROUND function can round to the right or left of the decimal point.
ROUNDDOWN Function
The Excel ROUNDDOWN function returns a number rounded down to a given number of places. Unlike standard rounding, where only numbers less than 5 are rounded down, ROUNDDOWN rounds all numbers down....
ROUNDUP Function
The Excel ROUNDUP function returns a number rounded up to a given number of decimal places. Unlike standard rounding, where only numbers less than 5 are rounded down, ROUNDUP rounds all numbers up....
MROUND Function
The Excel MROUND function returns a number rounded to a given multiple. MROUND will round a number up or down, depending on the nearest multiple.
CEILING Function
The Excel CEILING function rounds a given number up to the nearest specified multiple. CEILING works like the MROUND function, but CEILING always rounds up.
FLOOR Function
The Excel FLOOR function rounds a given number down to the nearest specified multiple. FLOOR works like the MROUND function, but FLOOR always rounds down.
ODD Function
The Excel ODD function returns the next odd integer after rounding a given number up. The ODD function always rounds numbers away from zero, so positive numbers become larger and negative numbers become smaller (i.e. more negative).
EVEN Function
The Excel EVEN function rounds numbers up to the next even integer. The EVEN function always rounds numbers away from zero, so positive numbers become larger and negative numbers become smaller (i.e. more negative).
