How to round a number to two decimal places in JavaScript

Introduction

Acquiring knowledge in JavaScript can enhance both the functionality of your application and the overall user experience. A frequent and essential task in various computing contexts involves rounding numbers to a specified number of decimal places. The act of rounding to two decimal places is particularly significant in areas such as financial computations, data visualization, and statistical analysis, as it strikes a balance between clarity and accuracy. This article will explore the methods for rounding numbers in JavaScript to two decimal places.

Let's deep-dive into the article.

How important is it to be precise when handling numbers?

JavaScript is an important part of making software. It helps make content move around on millions of websites. When dealing with numbers, especially when they have decimals, it's very important to be exact. The requirement to round to two decimal places comes up often whether it is calculating financial transactions or scientific measurements.

  • Rounding up is also known as "ceiling rounding," where integers are rounded to the closest whole number or a predetermined number of decimal places. For instance, 3.6 and 3.8 are rounded to four.
  • Integers are rounded down to the next whole number or a predetermined number of decimal places. The most popular approach is rounding to the nearest whole number or preset decimal place. 3.6 and 3.8, for instance, are both rounded down.
  • We refer to this tactic as rounding to the nearest four. For instance, 3.6 and 3.8 are rounded to three and four, respectively.

A comprehensive understanding of rounding is crucial in programming, as it facilitates calculations and presents numerical values in a clearer manner.

JavaScript methods for rounding

Having established the basic principles of rounding, let's explore the different methods available in JavaScript for rounding numerical values.

Math.round

The Math.round function is the most widely used JavaScript method for rounding numerical values. When this method is provided with a number as its parameter, it rounds that number to the nearest integer.

Syntax:

The syntax for rounding a specific number in JavaScript is presented below:

Example

Math.round(num*100)/100;

In the syntax provided above, the variable representing the number that needs to be formatted to two decimal places is referred to as num, while the method used for formatting is Math.round.

Example

The subsequent illustration will demonstrate how numbers are represented in JavaScript prior to and following formatting.

Example

const num = 4.68776
const rounded = Math.round(num * 1000) / 1000

console.log(rounded) // Output: 4.688

Output

Adaptive Accuracy with Math.round

By utilizing Math.pow in conjunction with Math.round, you create a flexible approach that can adapt to varying decimal places during the rounding process.

Example

function roundTo(number, Accuracy) {
  const value = Math.pow(10, Accuracy)
  return Math.round(number * value) / value
}
const round = roundTo(2.76567, 3)
console.log(round) // Output: 2.766

Output

Math.ceil Method

The Math.ceil function provides the smallest integer that is greater than or equal to a specified number. By utilizing this function, it is possible to format a number to display two decimal places.

Syntax

The structure for representing a number with two decimal places is outlined below:

Example

Math.ceil(num*100)/100

In this instance, the floating-point value that will be formatted to display two decimal places is referred to as num.

Example

In the following example, we utilize the Math.ceil function to convert the number 9.1291754 into a format that displays two decimal places.

Example

<html>
<body>
   <h3>Example for JavaScript Math.ceil() Method</h3>
   <p>Formatting a number with 2 decimals:</p>
   <p id="input"></p>
   <p id="result"></p>
   <script>
      const number = 7.54389;
      document.getElementById("input").innerHTML = "Before Formatting the number is:<br> " + number;
      const formatNumber = Math.ceil(number*100)/100;
      document.getElementById("result").innerHTML = "After formatting the number is:<br> " + formatNumber;
   </script>
</body>
</html>

Output

Applying the toFixed method

An uncomplicated approach for rounding numerical values to a specified number of decimal places is the toFixed method, which produces a value as its result.

Example

const num = 2.7645
const rounded = num.toFixed(2)
console.log(rounded) // Output: 2.76

Output

Using Number.EPSILON to boost accuracy

The constant Number.EPSILON can significantly enhance the handling of floating-point arithmetic issues, ensuring that rounding operations are performed with greater precision.

Example

const num = 5.9087
const round = Math.round((num + Number.EPSILON) * 1000) / 1000
console.log(round) // Output: 5.909

Output

Intl.Format

To round numbers according to regional conventions, the Intl.NumberFormat object can be utilized to format numbers in accordance with the specific guidelines of your locale.

Example

const num = 3.7869
const formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-IN', {
  style: 'decimal',
  maximumFractionDigits: 3,
  minimumFractionDigits: 3,
})
const round = formatter.format(num)

console.log(round) // Outputs: 3.787

Output

Summary

Achieving expertise in rounding numbers to two decimal places in JavaScript empowers developers to handle numerical information with greater accuracy and flexibility. The methods outlined in this tutorial offer dependable strategies to meet various objectives, whether your project involves data visualization, financial calculations, or any other context that necessitates precise numerical handling.

By acquiring knowledge on utilizing toFixed, employing multiplication and division strategies, and mastering dynamic precision rounding methods, you can effectively address numerous rounding issues in your JavaScript applications.

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