SQL Round

How do you round numbers in SQL?

The SQL ROUND function is used to round a number to a specified number of decimal places. It's a fundamental function for data manipulation and formatting in SQL databases. It's crucial for tasks like displaying data with a certain level of precision.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

The `ROUND` function in SQL is a built-in function used to round a numeric value to a specified number of decimal places. It's a common operation in data manipulation and reporting, allowing you to format numbers for display or further calculations. The function takes two arguments: the number to be rounded and the number of decimal places to round to. If the second argument is omitted, it defaults to 0, rounding to the nearest whole number. This function is crucial for ensuring data consistency and accuracy in reporting and analysis. For example, if you need to display prices rounded to two decimal places, or if you need to calculate averages with rounded values, the `ROUND` function is essential. It's important to understand the rounding rules, which are typically based on the standard mathematical rounding rules.

Why SQL Round is important

The `ROUND` function is essential for data formatting and analysis. It ensures consistency in reporting, allows for calculations with rounded values, and improves the readability and usability of data.

SQL Round Example Usage


SELECT customer_name, order_date
FROM Customers
WHERE country = 'USA'
ORDER BY order_date DESC;

SQL Round Syntax

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to specify the number of decimal places when rounding to a specific precision.
Misunderstanding the rounding rules (e.g., rounding up or down in specific cases).
Using the wrong data type for the input number, leading to unexpected results.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if you call SQL ROUND() without specifying the number of decimal places?

When you omit the second argument in ROUND(), most SQL engines default to 0, meaning the value is rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, SELECT ROUND(15.678); returns 16. This default behavior is useful when you need integer-level precision, such as counting items or aggregating whole-number metrics.

How do I round prices or averages to two decimal places in SQL?

To format monetary amounts, percentages, or any value that requires two-place precision, pass 2 as the second argument: SELECT ROUND(price, 2) AS price_rounded FROM products;. This ensures numbers like 19.999 display as 20.00, creating consistent reports and preventing downstream discrepancies in dashboards or invoices.

How can Galaxy help enforce consistent rounding rules across my team’s SQL?

Galaxy’s context-aware AI copilot can suggest or auto-insert the correct ROUND() syntax while you type, reducing errors and speeding up query writing. Teams can also save and endorse shared queries in Galaxy Collections—so everyone reuses the same rounding logic instead of copy-pasting variations in Slack or Notion. This keeps financial calculations and KPI reporting aligned across your organization.