Decimal.ToInt16() Method in C#

The Decimal.ToInt16() method in C# is used to convert the value of the specified Decimal to the equivalent 16-bit signed integer (short). This method performs truncation, discarding any fractional part of the decimal number.

Syntax

Following is the syntax −

public static short ToInt16(decimal val);

Parameters

val − The decimal number to convert.

Return Value

Returns a 16-bit signed integer (short) that is equivalent to the decimal value after truncation. The range of short is -32,768 to 32,767.

Using Decimal.ToInt16() with Positive and Negative Values

The method truncates decimal places and handles both positive and negative values −

using System;

public class Demo {
    public static void Main() {
        Decimal val1 = -3.578m;
        Decimal val2 = 9.352m;
        
        Console.WriteLine("Decimal 1 = " + val1);
        Console.WriteLine("Decimal 2 = " + val2);
        
        short res1 = Decimal.ToInt16(val1);
        short res2 = Decimal.ToInt16(val2);
        
        Console.WriteLine("16-bit signed integer (value1) = " + res1);
        Console.WriteLine("16-bit signed integer (value2) = " + res2);
    }
}

The output of the above code is −

Decimal 1 = -3.578
Decimal 2 = 9.352
16-bit signed integer (value1) = -3
16-bit signed integer (value2) = 9

Using Decimal.ToInt16() with Small Values

When converting small decimal values, the method truncates towards zero −

using System;

public class Demo {
    public static void Main() {
        Decimal val1 = 0.001m;
        Decimal val2 = 1.000m;
        Decimal val3 = 0.999m;
        
        Console.WriteLine("Decimal 1 = " + val1);
        Console.WriteLine("Decimal 2 = " + val2);
        Console.WriteLine("Decimal 3 = " + val3);
        
        short res1 = Decimal.ToInt16(val1);
        short res2 = Decimal.ToInt16(val2);
        short res3 = Decimal.ToInt16(val3);
        
        Console.WriteLine("16-bit signed integer (value1) = " + res1);
        Console.WriteLine("16-bit signed integer (value2) = " + res2);
        Console.WriteLine("16-bit signed integer (value3) = " + res3);
    }
}

The output of the above code is −

Decimal 1 = 0.001
Decimal 2 = 1.000
Decimal 3 = 0.999
16-bit signed integer (value1) = 0
16-bit signed integer (value2) = 1
16-bit signed integer (value3) = 0

Handling OverflowException

If the decimal value is outside the range of short (-32,768 to 32,767), the method throws an OverflowException −

using System;

public class Demo {
    public static void Main() {
        Decimal validValue = 32767m;
        Decimal invalidValue = 50000m;
        
        try {
            short result1 = Decimal.ToInt16(validValue);
            Console.WriteLine("Valid conversion: " + validValue + " ? " + result1);
            
            short result2 = Decimal.ToInt16(invalidValue);
            Console.WriteLine("This won't execute");
        }
        catch (OverflowException ex) {
            Console.WriteLine("OverflowException: " + ex.Message);
        }
    }
}

The output of the above code is −

Valid conversion: 32767 ? 32767
OverflowException: Value was either too large or too small for an Int16.

Conclusion

The Decimal.ToInt16() method converts decimal values to 16-bit signed integers by truncating fractional parts. It's important to handle potential OverflowException when working with values outside the short range of -32,768 to 32,767.