---
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
