When working with numbers in Excel, sometimes we need to round them up to the nearest multiple of a specified value. That’s where the CEILING function comes in handy. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how CEILING works in Excel and show you some of the best examples to use in your spreadsheets.
What is the CEILING function in Excel?
The CEILING function in Excel is used to round a number up to the nearest specified multiple. Regardless of whether the number is positive or negative, Excel ensures that the result moves away from zero.
CEILING function syntax
The syntax of the CEILING function is simple and consists of two required arguments:
=CEILING(number, significance)- number – The value that needs to be rounded up.
- significance – The multiple to which the number will be rounded.
How does CEILING work?
Let’s look at a few practical examples of how CEILING works in Excel.
| Formula | Result | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
=CEILING(23, 5) |
25 | Rounds 23 up to the nearest multiple of 5. |
=CEILING(72.3, 10) |
80 | Rounds 72.3 up to the nearest multiple of 10. |
=CEILING(-23, 5) |
-20 | Rounds -23 up (towards zero) to the nearest multiple of 5. |
Key points when using CEILING
When applying CEILING in Excel, keep in mind these key behaviors:
- It always rounds up, even if the number is negative.
- The result moves away from zero, not towards it.
- If the number is already an exact multiple of the significance, no rounding is applied.
Best CEILING examples for real-world scenarios
CEILING is useful in various practical scenarios. Let’s explore a few of them.
1. Rounding prices for sales and discounts
Imagine you have product prices that need to be rounded up to the nearest dollar or five-dollar mark. You can use:
=CEILING(A2, 5)This ensures consistency in pricing across your store.
2. Calculating package quantities
If you’re managing inventory and need to ensure that you always have full packages available:
=CEILING(128, 25)This rounds up to the nearest multiple of 25, so you won’t end up with incomplete shipments.
3. Aligning time calculations
When scheduling, you may want to round meeting times to the next 15-minute interval:
=CEILING(A2, "00:15")This ensures neat and even time slots.
Difference between CEILING and other rounding functions
Excel has multiple rounding functions, and it’s important to know when to use each one:
- ROUND – Rounds to the nearest value based on standard rounding rules.
- FLOOR – Rounds down to the nearest multiple of the specified significance.
- CEILING – Always rounds up to the nearest multiple.
For example, comparing CEILING and FLOOR:
| Formula | Result | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
=CEILING(27, 5) |
30 | Rounds 27 up to the next multiple of 5. |
=FLOOR(27, 5) |
25 | Rounds 27 down to the previous multiple of 5. |
Final thoughts
The CEILING function in Excel is a powerful tool for rounding numbers up to a specific multiple. Whether you’re working on price adjustments, scheduling, or inventory management, knowing how to use CEILING effectively can streamline your calculations. Hopefully, this guide has given you a clear understanding of how CEILING works in Excel and the best ways to apply it in your daily work.
Other interesting article:
How RANDBETWEEN works in Excel? Best RANDBETWEEN examples