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CEILING.

Rounds a number up to the nearest multiple of significance.

SyntaxArgumentsExampleInteractive SandboxGeneratorCompatibilityFAQRelatedCheat Sheet
Category: Math & Arithmetic
ExcelExcel 365Excel 2021Excel 2019Google Sheets

How it works.

CEILING rounds a number up (away from zero) to the nearest specified integer or fractional multiple.

Formula syntax.

Standard Excel Notation
=CEILING(number, significance)
Tip:Arguments wrapped in square brackets [like_this] are optional; all other arguments are required.

Formula arguments.

Every parameter accepted by the CEILING function is detailed below.

numberRequired

The number you want to round.

Example value: A2
significanceRequired

The multiple to round up to.

Example value: 1

Simple example.

Step-by-Step Scenario

Shipping Container Packing

Round items up to complete case packs of 5.

Items NeededCase Pack Units
22—
31—
Applied Formula
=CEILING(A2, 5)
Expected Result:25

Evaluates CEILING over the sample table cells, placing the verified output in cell B2.

Formula generator.

Full Generator Wizard

Customize the argument fields below to generate a tailored CEILING formula ready to paste directly into your worksheet.

Generated FormulaReady to copy
=CEILING()

Expected result behavior.

Returns number 25 based on sample evaluation criteria and active cell references.

Sample Output:25
Output Type:Numeric (Double/Integer)

Best Practices

  • Round retail prices up to the nearest 0.05 or 0.99 ending.

Common Mistakes

  • In classic CEILING, number and significance must have the same sign or a #NUM! error occurs.
Compatibility Database

Platform & version compatibility.

Verified platform compatibility matrix based on actual spreadsheet calculation engine specifications.

Excel✓
Supported
Excel 365✓
Supported
Excel 2021✓
Supported
Excel 2019✓
Supported
Google Sheets✓
Supported
Microsoft Excel History & Version Availability

Core standard function supported across all modern and legacy Microsoft Excel versions (365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010), as well as Excel for the Web and Mac.

Google Sheets Compatibility Notes

100% compatible with Google Sheets. Uses identical argument order, data types, and standard calculation logic.

Frequently asked questions.

Technical Q&A
Can I use CEILING across different worksheets in Excel?↓

Yes. You can reference cells located on other sheets by including the sheet name followed by an exclamation mark, for example: =CEILING(Sheet2!A2:A10). If the sheet name contains spaces, enclose it in single quotes: ='Q1 Report'!A2:A10.

What is the most common reason for errors in CEILING?↓

In classic CEILING, number and significance must have the same sign or a #NUM! error occurs.

Does CEILING work identically in Google Sheets?↓

Yes, CEILING is supported in both Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets with standard evaluation behavior.