In MySQL, the CEILING() function allows you to round a number up to the nearest integer. More specifically, it returns the smallest integer not less than its argument.

You can also use the CEIL() function, which is a synonym for CEILING().

Syntax

The syntax goes like this:

CEILING(X)

For exact-value numeric arguments, the return value has an exact-value numeric type. For string or floating-point arguments, the return value has a floating-point type.

Example 1 – Positive Values

Here’s an example of providing a positive value as the argument.

SELECT CEILING(1.87) Result;

Result:

+--------+
| Result |
+--------+
|      2 |
+--------+

In this case, 2 is the smallest integer not less than 1.87.

Here’s another example, this time with a larger value.

SELECT CEILING(200.87) Result;

Result:

+--------+
| Result |
+--------+
|    201 |
+--------+

Example 2 – Negative Values

Here’s an example using a negative value.

SELECT CEILING(-1.87) Result;

Result:

+--------+
| Result |
+--------+
|     -1 |
+--------+

In this case, -1 is the smallest integer not less than -1.87.

Here’s another example.

SELECT CEILING(-200.87) Result;

Result:

+--------+
| Result |
+--------+
|   -200 |
+--------+

The CEIL() Function

The CEIL() function is a synonym for the CEILING() function. Therefore you can replace all of the above examples with CEIL() instead.

For example:

SELECT CEIL(1.87) Result;

Result:

+--------+
| Result |
+--------+
|      2 |
+--------+

Rounding Down – FLOOR()

If you prefer to round down to the nearest integer, use the FLOOR() function instead.