C# Data Types

A data type is the kind of value a variable can hold in C#. Each type stores its values in its own way.

Whole and decimal types

The int and long variables hold whole numbers. The double variable holds a decimal number.

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        int count = 50000;
        long big = 9000000000L;
        double rate = 19.99;
        Console.WriteLine(count);
        Console.WriteLine(big);
        Console.WriteLine(rate);
    }
}

Float and decimal

A float value ends with the letter f. A decimal value ends with the letter m.

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        float price = 5.5f;
        decimal total = 19.99m;
        Console.WriteLine(price);
        Console.WriteLine(total);
    }
}

A float needs f

A decimal value is a double by default. A float variable refuses it without the letter f.

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        float score = 5.5;
        Console.WriteLine(score);
    }
}

Example

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        int items = 24;
        long boxes = 3000000L;
        double price = 12.5;
        decimal total = 300.0m;
        Console.WriteLine(items);
        Console.WriteLine(boxes);
        Console.WriteLine(price);
        Console.WriteLine(total);
    }
}

Key points

int and long hold whole numbers.
long holds whole numbers too large for int.
float, double, and decimal hold decimal numbers.
A float value carries the letter f after its number.
A decimal value carries the letter m after its number.
bool holds true or false.
char holds one character in single quotes.
string holds text in double quotes.

In this example, the first line prints the int count 24. The second line prints the long count 3000000. The third line prints the double price 12.5. The fourth line prints the decimal total 300.0.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Programiz C# Compiler

using System;

class Program
{
    static void Main(string[] args)
    {
        int items = 24;
        long boxes = 3000000L;
        double price = 12.5;
        decimal total = 300.0m;
        Console.WriteLine(items);
        Console.WriteLine(boxes);
        Console.WriteLine(price);
        Console.WriteLine(total);
    }
}

Type	Stores	Example
int	Whole numbers	42
long	Large whole numbers	9000000000L
float	Decimal numbers with less precision	5.5f
double	Decimal numbers with more precision	19.99
decimal	Exact decimal numbers for money	19.99m
bool	True or false values	true
char	One character	'A'
string	Text with many characters	"Hello"
byte	Small whole numbers from 0 to 255	200
sbyte	Small whole numbers with a sign	-50
short	Whole numbers in a smaller range	3000
ushort	Positive whole numbers in a smaller range	60000

Exercise

Which letter must follow a decimal value stored in a float variable?

f m L d