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Excel function · Statistics

CEILING

Rounds a number up to the next multiple of another.

What it does

CEILING rounds up to the nearest multiple of the number you choose: the next 6, the next 0.05, the next 100. It suits things that come in packs or prices that end in set steps.

Syntax

=CEILING(number; significance)

Arguments in square brackets are optional, and … means you can add more of the same. In this Excel language, arguments are separated by ;

Arguments

number
The number to round up.
significance
The multiple to round to, such as 6 or 0.05.

Example

Chairs come in stacks of 6. How many chairs do you need for 23 guests?

AB
1GuestsChairs (stacks of 6)
22324

The formula in B2:

=CEILING(A2;6)

Result: 24

The multiples of 6 are 18, 24, 30… The first one that is at least 23 is 24.

Common mistakes

  • Using ROUND, which can round down and leave someone without a chair.
  • Expecting the number of stacks. CEILING returns 24 chairs; divide by 6 for 4 stacks.

In other Excel languages

Excel translates function names, and in some languages the argument separator too. Type the name your Excel shows.

Excel languageFunction nameSeparator
EnglishCEILING,
DeutschOBERGRENZE;
FrançaisPLAFOND;
Español (España)MULTIPLO.SUPERIOR;
Español (México)MULTIPLO.SUPERIOR,
日本語CEILING,
한국어CEILING,
繁體中文CEILING,
ไทยCEILING,
ខ្មែរCEILING,
Tiếng ViệtCEILING;

Practise it

More from this module

All functions