How to format a float in python which has variable number of zeros after decimal point?

Question

I have a function that returns a float number which can have from 0 to up to 8 zeros after the decimal point.

I want to format the float in non-scientific notation and display only up to 4 non-zero digits following the zeros after the decimal point.

For example:

1.42 should be formatted as 1.42  
1.4205152 should be formatted as 1.4205  
1.42e-2 should be formatted as 0.0142  
1.452e-4 should be formatted as 0.0001452  
1.49315e-5 should be formatted as 0.00001493

etc

Is there a format specifier in python to do so, or writing a custom function is the only solution?

Yes; I did. But doesn't the format function only takes argument for a fixed number of digits after decimal point? i.e. {0.xf}.format will give me x digits after decimal point. — Pratik Panchal
– Pratik Panchal, Commented May 24, 2020 at 19:39

Eric Postpischil · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-25 11:44:17Z

2

There is no built-in support for this. That is, there is no format specifier or conversion function that does this directly. You will need to write your own code to do the formatting.

answered May 25, 2020 at 11:44

Eric Postpischil

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Pratik Panchal Over a year ago

Thank you for that piece of information. I'll proceed to write one without worrying about reinventing the wheel.

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