Python round()

In this tutorial, we will learn about the Python round() function with the help of examples.

The round() function returns a floating-point number rounded to the specified number of decimals.

Example

number = 13.46

# round the number
rounded_number = round(number)
print(rounded_number)

# Output: 13

1. round() Syntax

The syntax of the round() function is:

round(number, ndigits)

2. round() Parameters

The round() function takes two parameters:

• number – the number to be rounded
• ndigits (optional) – number up to which the given number is rounded; defaults to 0

3. round() Return Value

The round() function returns the

• nearest integer to the given number if ndigits is not provided
• number rounded off to the ndigits digits if ndigits is provided

4. Example 1: How round() works in Python?

# for integers
print(round(10))

# for floating point
print(round(10.7))

# even choice
print(round(5.5))

Output

10
11
6

5. Example 2: Round a number to the given number of decimal places

print(round(2.665, 2))
print(round(2.675, 2))

Output

2.67
2.67

Note: The behavior of round() for floats can be surprising. Notice round(2.675, 2) gives 2.67 instead of the expected 2.68. This is not a bug: it’s a result of the fact that most decimal fractions can’t be represented exactly as a float.

When the decimal 2.675 is converted to a binary floating-point number, it’s again replaced with a binary approximation, whose exact value is:

2.67499999999999982236431605997495353221893310546875

Due to this, it is rounded down to 2.67.

If you’re in a situation where this precision is needed, consider using the decimal module, which is designed for floating-point arithmetic:

from decimal import Decimal

# normal float
num = 2.675
print(round(num, 2))

# using decimal.Decimal (passed float as string for precision)
num = Decimal('2.675')
print(round(num, 2))

Output

2.67
2.68