JavaScript | toPrecision( ) Function

The toPrecision() method in Javascript is used to format a number to a specific precision or length. If the formatted number requires more number of digits than original number then decimals and nulls are also added to create the specified length.

Syntax:

number.toPrecision(value)

The toPrecision() function is used with a number as shown in above syntax using the ‘.’ operator. This function will format a number to a specified length.

Parameters: This function accepts a single parameter value. This parameter is also optional and it represents the value of the number of significant digits the user wants in the formatted number.

Return Value: The toPrecision() method in JavaScript returns a string in which the number is formatted to the specified precision.

Below are some examples to illustrates toPrecision() function:

1. Passing no arguments in the toPrecision() method: If no arguments is passed to the toPrecision() function then the formatted number will be exactly the same as input number. Though, it will be represented as a string rather than a number.
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   <script type="text/javascript">     var num=213.45689;     document.write(num.toPrecision());           </script>

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   Output:

   213.45689

2. Passing an argument in the toPrecision() method: If the length of precision passed to the toPrecision() function is smaller than the original number then the number is rounded off to that precision.
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   <script type="text/javascript">     var num=213.45689;     document.write(num.toPrecision(4));           </script>

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   Output:

   213.5

3. Passing an argument which results in addition of null in the output: If the length of precision passed to the toPrecision() function is greater than the original number then zero’s are appended to the input number to meet the specified precision.
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   <script type="text/javascript">     var num=213.45689;     document.write(num.toPrecision(12));          var num2 = 123;     document.write(num2.toPrecision(5));         </script>

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   Output:

   213.456890000
   123.00
   

Note: If the precision specified is not in between 1 and 100 (inclusive), it results in a RangeError.

Shubrodeep Banerjee

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