| --- |
| page_title: abs - Functions - Configuration Language |
| description: The abs function returns the absolute value of the given number. |
| --- |
| |
| # `abs` function reference |
| |
| This topic provides reference information about the `abs` function. The `abs` function returns the absolute value of the given number. |
| |
| ## Introduction |
| |
| The `abs` function returns the absolute value of the given number. If the number is zero or positive, the function returns the value as-is, but if it is negative, it is multiplied by -1 to make it positive before returning it. |
| |
| ## Syntax |
| |
| Use the `abs` function with the following syntax: |
| |
| ```hcl |
| abs(number) |
| ``` |
| |
| The `number` argument is the number you want the absolute value of. |
| |
| In the following example, the function returns the absolute value of `23`, `0`, and `-12.4`. |
| |
| ```hcl hideClipboard |
| $ abs(23) |
| 23 |
| $ abs(0) |
| 0 |
| $ abs(-12.4) |
| 12.4 |
| ``` |
| |
| ## Example use case |
| |
| The following example defines a variable `num` that is negative. The function outputs the absolute value of `num`, which is `10`. |
| |
| ```hcl |
| variable "num" { |
| default = -10 |
| } |
| |
| output "absolute_value" { |
| value = abs(var.num) |
| } |
| ``` |
| |
| ## Related Functions |
| |
| - [`signum`](/terraform/language/functions/signum) determines the sign of a number, returning a number between -1 and 1 to represent the sign |
