GCD function: Description, Usage, Syntax, Examples and Explanation

What is GCD function in Excel?

GCD function is one of the Math and Trig functions in Microsoft Excel that returns the greatest common divisor of two or more integers. The greatest common divisor is the largest integer that divides both number1 and number2 without a remainder.

Syntax of GCD function

GCD(number1, [number2], …)

The GCD function syntax has the following arguments:

• Number1, number2, …    Number1 is required, subsequent numbers are optional. 1 to 255 values. If any value is not an integer, it is truncated.

GCD formula explanation

• If any argument is nonnumeric, GCD returns the #VALUE! error value.
• If any argument is less than zero, GCD returns the #NUM! error value.
• One divides any value evenly.
• A prime number has only itself and one as even divisors.
• If a parameter to GCD is >=2^53, GCD returns the #NUM! error value.

Example of GCD function

Steps to follow:

1. Open a new Excel worksheet.

2. Copy data in the following table below and paste it in cell A1

Note: For formulas to show results, select them, press F2 key on your keyboard and then press Enter.

You can adjust the column widths to see all the data, if need be.

Formula	Description	Result
=GCD(5, 2)	Greatest common divisor of 5 and 2	1
=GCD(24, 36)	Greatest common divisor of 24 and 36	12
=GCD(7, 1)	Greatest common divisor of 7 and 1	1
=GCD(5, 0)	Greatest common divisor of 5 and 0	5