A single-precision number is generally considered to be one that occupies a single addressed location in a computer store, as opposed to double precision. Current computing systems are often based on 32-bit numbers, meaning that single precision uses 32-bit numbers and double precision uses 64-bit ones. The number represented can be integer, fixed-point or floating point.

Pedantic usage note: When using single-precision as an adjective, as in single-precision number, hyphenate it. When using it as a noun ("Double precision differs from single precision."), do not hyphenate it.

See also

• IEEE floating-point standard