INT vs TRUNC (Whole Numbers)

Excel Formulas › Math

All versionsINT

Both strip the decimals, but they differ for negative numbers: TRUNC just chops, while INT rounds toward negative infinity. Choosing wrong silently shifts your results.

Quick formula: whole-number part of A2:
=TRUNC(A2) // chops decimals =INT(A2) // rounds down
For positives they match; for negatives, TRUNC(−2.7) = −2 but INT(−2.7) = −3.

Functions used (tap for the full reference guide):

INTTRUNC

The example

−2.7 splits two ways.

AB
1ValueINT / TRUNC
22.72 / 2
3−2.7−3 / −2

The formula

The formula:

=TRUNC(A2) vs =INT(A2) // differ on negatives

How it works

How it works:

  1. TRUNC(value) simply removes the decimal part — truncates toward zero.
  2. INT(value) rounds down to the nearest integer (toward negative infinity).
  3. For positive numbers they’re identical.
  4. For negatives they diverge: TRUNC(-2.7)=-2, INT(-2.7)=-3. Pick the one your logic needs.

TRUNC can cut decimals too: =TRUNC(A2, 2) keeps two decimals without rounding (3.149 → 3.14), unlike ROUND which would give 3.15. Handy when you must not round up.

Try it: interactive demo

Live demo

Enter a value (try a negative).

INT · TRUNC

Variations

TRUNC to decimals

Cut without rounding:

=TRUNC(A2, 2)

Get the decimal part

Remainder:

=A2 - TRUNC(A2)

Round (compare)

Nearest integer:

=ROUND(A2, 0)

Pitfalls & errors

Negatives diverge. INT rounds down, TRUNC chops — a silent source of off-by-one bugs.

Neither rounds. Both drop decimals without rounding up; use ROUND for that.

TRUNC has a second argument. INT doesn’t — only TRUNC can cut to a set number of decimals.

Practice workbook

📊
Download the free INT vs TRUNC (Whole Numbers) practice workbook
An INT-vs-TRUNC sheet with the decimal-trunc, decimal-part, and ROUND variants, plus 4 challenges with answers. No sign-up required.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between INT and TRUNC in Excel?
For positives they're the same. For negatives, TRUNC chops toward zero (TRUNC(-2.7)=-2) while INT rounds down (INT(-2.7)=-3).
How do I cut decimals without rounding?
Use TRUNC with a decimals argument: =TRUNC(A2, 2) keeps two decimals without rounding up.
How do I get just the decimal part?
Subtract the integer part: =A2 - TRUNC(A2).

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Related formulas: Quotient & remainder · Round to nearest · Roundup & rounddown

Function references: INT · TRUNC