float (C# Reference)
The float keyword signifies a simple type that stores 32-bit floating-point values. The following table shows the precision and approximate range for the float type.
Type |
Approximate range |
Precision |
.NET Framework type |
|---|---|---|---|
float |
-3.4 × 1038to +3.4 × 1038 |
7 digits |
Literals
By default, a real numeric literal on the right side of the assignment operator is treated as double. Therefore, to initialize a float variable, use the suffix f or F, as in the following example:
float x = 3.5F;
If you do not use the suffix in the previous declaration, you will get a compilation error because you are trying to store a double value into a float variable.
Conversions
You can mix numeric integral types and floating-point types in an expression. In this case, the integral types are converted to floating-point types. The evaluation of the expression is performed according to the following rules:
If one of the floating-point types is double, the expression evaluates to double or bool in relational or Boolean expressions.
If there is no double type in the expression, the expression evaluates to float or bool in relational or Boolean expressions.
A floating-point expression can contain the following sets of values:
Positive and negative zero
Positive and negative infinity
Not-a-Number value (NaN)
The finite set of nonzero values
For more information about these values, see IEEE Standard for Binary Floating-Point Arithmetic, available on the IEEE Web site.
Example
In the following example, an int, a short, and a float are included in a mathematical expression giving a float result. (Remember that float is an alias for the System.Single type.) Notice that there is no double in the expression.
class FloatTest
{
static void Main()
{
int x = 3;
float y = 4.5f;
short z = 5;
var result = x * y / z;
Console.WriteLine("The result is {0}", result);
Type type = result.GetType();
Console.WriteLine("result is of type {0}", type.ToString());
}
}
/* Output:
The result is 2.7
result is of type System.Single //'float' is alias for 'Single'
*/
C# Language Specification
For more information, see the C# Language Specification. The language specification is the definitive source for C# syntax and usage.
See Also
Reference
Casting and Type Conversions (C# Programming Guide)
Integral Types Table (C# Reference)
Built-In Types Table (C# Reference)
Implicit Numeric Conversions Table (C# Reference)
Explicit Numeric Conversions Table (C# Reference)