Difference between Single Precision and Double Precision Last Updated : 12 Jul, 2025 Comments Improve Suggest changes Like Article Like Report In computer systems the floating-point numbers serve a very important purpose especially in scientific computing, computer graphics, and machine learning as it is used to represent real numbers. These floating-point numbers can be defined with different precision formats which are main single precision and double precision.PrecisionBaseSignExponentSignificandSingle precision21823+1Double precision211152+1The two forms of Single and Double Precision really and truly differs by the number of bits that are used to represent these numbers and so varies the range and also the accuracy of the amount of numbers that can be found. Single precision requires 32 bits on a binary format while the double precision requires 64 bits. That is why it is critical to understand the difference in cases when the choice has to be made in favor of either speed or accuracy when it comes to computations.Single PrecisionSingle Precision is a format proposed by IEEE for the representation of floating-point numbers. It occupies 32 bits in computer memory.Advantages of Single PrecisionLess Memory Usage: Thus single precision is favored because it requires only 32 bits, and is therefore more suitable for use in systems with restricted capacity.Faster Computation: Certain operations performed in single precision may take lesser time than those performed in double precision because less number of bits are needed for processing in single precision. This is good for real time application like 3D graphic rendering and gaming.Sufficient for Certain Applications: In a number of use cases, where the level of precision necessary is not extremely high, single precision is sufficient (for example, when it comes to graphics for video games or simulations, which do not have to be performed at a sufficiently high degree of accuracy, etc.).Disadvantages of Single PrecisionLimited Range: The smaller the bit size the range of values which can be used in a given application and therefore single precision is not applicable for use where very large/very small numbers are likely to be involved in the computation.Lower Precision: Single precision formats can store only up to seven decimal digits with high accuracy, therefore, in scientific computations, precision is a problem.Double PrecisionDouble Precision is also a format given by IEEE for the representation of the floating-point number. It occupies 64 bits in computer memory.Advantages of Double PrecisionHigher Accuracy: Double precision is far more accurate than the single precision mainly because it can express numbers with up to fifteen decimal digit.Larger Range: Due to the extra bits for the exponent, double precision is capable of providing a lot more solutions in number ranges and this makes it ideal for most scientific or engineering related and any other computation that requires very large or very small values.Better for Complex Calculations: Due to the high level of accuracy that it offers, double precision is useful when developing application that involves numeric such as simulations, statistics and machine learning.Disadvantages of Double PrecisionHigher Memory Consumption: Double precision thus needs double the bit space as compared to single precision (64 bits to 32 bits) and this may perhaps be a disadvantageous aspect when it comes to handling memory dominated systems.Slower Computation: The chief disadvantage of operations in double precision is such operations are slower because there are more bits to get through, so it is not as ideal for real-time applications.Overkill for Simple Tasks: However, for applications where the use of double precision is not very critical and may lead to wastage of computational resources.Difference between Single and Double PrecisionSINGLE PRECISIONDOUBLE PRECISIONIn single precision, 32 bits are used to represent floating-point number.In double precision, 64 bits are used to represent floating-point number.This format, also known as FP32, is suitable for calculations that won't be adversely affected by some approximation.This format, often known as FP64, is suitable to represent values that need a wider range or more exact computations.It uses 8 bits for exponent.It uses 11 bits for exponent.In single precision, 23 bits are used for mantissa.In double precision, 52 bits are used for mantissa.Bias number is 127.Bias number is 1023.Range of numbers in single precision : 2^(-126) to 2^(+127)Range of numbers in double precision : 2^(-1022) to 2^(+1023)This is used where precision matters less.This is used where precision matters more.It is used for wide representation.It is used for minimization of approximation.It is used in simple programs like games.It is used in complex programs like scientific calculator.This is called binary32.This is called binary64.It requires fewer resources as compared to double precision.It provides more accurate results but at the cost of greater computational power, memory space, and data transfer.It is less expensive.The cost incurred using this format does not always justify its use for every computation .ConclusionWhich type to use, float single or float double, depends with the need of the program. Single precision is therefore faster and require less memory space this is advantageous in situations where the need to be very accurate is not as important as the speed at with information is processed. However, by using the double precision, one gets a higher degree of precision and a larger range of magnitude and therefore it is the better type of precision when doing numerical calculations in that involve scientific or engineering disciplines. Thus, their comparative analysis is critical to furthering the knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of these two formats for computational processing. Comment More infoAdvertise with us Next Article What is a Computer? P pp_pankaj Follow Improve Article Tags : Computer Organization & Architecture Similar Reads Computer Organization and Architecture Tutorial In this Computer Organization and Architecture Tutorial, you’ll learn all the basic to advanced concepts like pipelining, microprogrammed control, computer architecture, instruction design, and format. Computer Organization and Architecture is used to design computer systems. Computer architecture I 5 min read Basic Computer InstructionsWhat is a Computer?A computer is an electronic device that processes data according to instructions provided by software programs. It takes input (data), processes it using a central processing unit (CPU), stores information, and produces output (results) to perform various tasks.Types of ComputersThere are various ty 8 min read Issues in Computer DesignComputer Design is the structure in which components relate to each other. 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Primary Memory is a type of Computer Memory that the Prepro 7 min read Difference Between CPU Cache and TLBThe CPU Cache and Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) are two important microprocessor hardware components that improve system performance, although they have distinct functions. Even though some people may refer to TLB as a kind of cache, it's important to recognize the different functions they serv 4 min read Introduction to Solid-State Drive (SSD)A Solid-State Drive (SSD) is a non-volatile storage device that stores data without using any moving parts, unlike traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), which have spinning disks and mechanical read/write heads. Because of this, SSDs are much faster, more durable, and quieter than HDDs. They load fil 7 min read Read and Write operations in MemoryA memory unit stores binary information in groups of bits called words. 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These stages can overlap, allowing the processor to wo 9 min read Computer Organization and Architecture | Pipelining | Set 3 (Types and Stalling)Please see Set 1 for Execution, Stages and Performance (Throughput) and Set 2 for Dependencies and Data Hazard. Types of pipeline Uniform delay pipeline In this type of pipeline, all the stages will take same time to complete an operation. In uniform delay pipeline, Cycle Time (Tp) = Stage Delay If 3 min read Computer Organization and Architecture | Pipelining | Set 2 (Dependencies and Data Hazard)Please see Set 1 for Execution, Stages and Performance (Throughput) and Set 3 for Types of Pipeline and Stalling. Dependencies in a pipelined processor There are mainly three types of dependencies possible in a pipelined processor. These are : 1) Structural Dependency 2) Control Dependency 3) Data D 6 min read Last Minute Notes Computer Organization Table of ContentBasic TerminologyInstruction Set and Addressing ModesInstruction Design and FormatControl UnitMemory Organization I/O InterfacePipeliningIEEE Standard 754 Floating Point NumbersBasic TerminologyControl Unit - A control unit (CU) handles all processor control signals. It directs all i 15+ min read COA GATE PYQ's AND COA QuizGATE CS PreparationPreparing for the GATE exam can be straightforward if you know the right steps to take. This brief GATE CSE Preparation Guide will help you get started and stay on track as you prepare for one of the most important exams for admissions into IITs, NITs and other government colleges.Let's get started: 3 min read Like