Ceiling Function Calculator
Use our ceiling function calculator to round a number up to the nearest integer (or to a chosen multiple). Includes the ceiling function definition, ceiling function formula, a ceiling function equation, a ceiling function example, and the ceiling function in Excel.
What is the Ceiling Function?
The ceiling function rounds a number up to the nearest integer. It’s written as ⌈x⌉ and is sometimes called “round up” in math.
If x is already an integer, the ceiling of x is x itself. If x is not an integer, the ceiling function returns the next integer greater than x.
This ceiling function calculator can compute ⌈x⌉ and can also be used like a ceiling function Excel setup when you want to round up to a specific multiple.
Ceiling Function Formula
The ceiling function is the smallest integer greater than or equal to x. You’ll often see this written as a ceiling function equation using brackets.
This is the core ceiling function formula.
Rounds x up to the nearest multiple of m (useful for pricing, packing, time blocks, etc.).
3.14 is between 3 and 4, so ceiling rounds up to 4.
Ceiling rounds up toward positive infinity, so -2.7 goes to -2.
How to Use the Ceiling Function Calculator
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Enter the number x.
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The calculator returns ⌈x⌉, the ceiling value (rounded up to the nearest integer).
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If your tool supports a multiple, enter m to round up to the nearest multiple of m.
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Use the result for rounding, grouping, scheduling, or any situation where you need a ceiling function equation output.
Frequently Asked Questions
⌈x⌉ is the smallest integer greater than or equal to x.
⌈4.01⌉ = 5, and ⌈-1.2⌉ = -1.
Ceiling always rounds up to the next integer (or multiple), while rounding goes to the nearest value based on the decimal part.
It’s written with ceiling brackets: ⌈x⌉.
Excel has CEILING and CEILING.MATH. Example: =CEILING.MATH(A1) rounds A1 up to an integer. To round up to a multiple: =CEILING.MATH(A1, m).
Yes. It rounds up toward positive infinity. For example, ⌈-2.7⌉ = -2.