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CEIL()/CEILING() in SQL

Rounds a number up to the nearest integer or to a specified decimal place. Always rounds away from zero for positive numbers and toward zero for negative numbers.

Syntax

CEIL(number) or CEILING(number)

Return type

NUMERIC (or equivalent numeric type in the respective DBMS)

CEIL()/CEILING() Function Example

SELECT CEIL(123.45); 
-- Output: 124

What is CEIL()/CEILING() in SQL?

The CEIL() (or CEILING()) function in SQL rounds a given number up to the nearest integer. It always rounds away from zero for positive numbers and toward zero for negative numbers, ensuring the result is the smallest integer that is greater than or equal to the given value. This function is useful in mathematical calculations, financial applications, and data processing where rounding up is required. It is supported in MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle as CEIL(), while SQL Server and some other databases use CEILING() for the same functionality.

Parameters:

number: The numeric value to be rounded up.

Example Use Cases:

-- Calculate minimum number of packages needed

SELECT CEIL(items_count/package_size) AS packages_needed FROM orders; 
-- Output:
packages_needed
--------------
3
5
2
4
7

-- Round up storage space requirements

SELECT CEIL(file_size_mb) AS storage_needed FROM files; 
-- Output:
storage_needed
-------------
125
456
789
234
567

-- Calculate minimum number of work days

SELECT CEIL(total_hours/8) AS work_days FROM projects;
-- Output:
work_days
---------
5
3
8
4
6

Notes:

Behavior: Always rounds up to next integer (e.g., 2.1 becomes 3, -2.1 becomes -2)
Performance Considerations: Basic numeric operation, highly efficient
Version Info: Core mathematical function available in all major DBMS
Deprecated/Recommended Alternatives: Some DBMS use CEILING() instead of CEIL()

Error Handling:

Error: Returns NULL if input is NULL
Recommendation: Use COALESCE if NULL handling needed

Supported Databases:

DBMS

Function / Syntax

Example

Returns NULL

Related Functions:

FLOOR()

Rounds a number down to the nearest integer or to a specified decimal place. Always rounds toward negative infinity.

ROUND()

Rounds a number to a specified number of decimal places or to the nearest integer.

ABS()

Returns the absolute (positive) value of a number by removing the negative sign if present.

SIGN()

Returns the sign of a number: -1 for negative numbers, 0 for zero, and 1 for positive numbers.

RAND()/RANDOM()

Generates a random number. Without parameters, returns a floating-point number between 0 (inclusive) and 1 (exclusive). Some DBMS allow seeding for reproducible results.

MOD()

Returns the remainder after dividing one number by another. Also available as % operator in many databases.

SQRT()

Returns the square root of a non-negative number. The square root is the value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the number.

POWER()

Returns the result of raising a base number to a specified power (exponent). Also written as POW() in some databases.

CEIL()/CEILING()

Rounds a number up to the nearest integer or to a specified decimal place. Always rounds away from zero for positive numbers and toward zero for negative numbers.

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CEIL()/CEILING() in SQL

Syntax

Return type

CEIL()/CEILING() Function Example

What is CEIL()/CEILING() in SQL?

Parameters:

Example Use Cases:

Notes:

Error Handling:

Supported Databases:

DBMS

Function / Syntax

Example

Behavior with NULL

MySQL

PostgreSQL

SQL Server

SQLite

BigQuery

Snowflake

Athena

Related Functions:

FLOOR()

ROUND()

ABS()

SIGN()

RAND()/RANDOM()

MOD()

SQRT()

POWER()

CEIL()/CEILING()

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