Absolute value: abs

The abs filter returns the absolute value of a number, which is its distance from zero regardless of sign. Negative numbers become positive, while positive numbers and zero remain unchanged. This is useful when you care about the magnitude of a difference but not its direction. For example, when calculating how far a temperature is from a target, the absolute value tells you the size of the deviation regardless of whether the actual temperature is above or below the target. It is also helpful for computing the difference between two sensorSensors return information about a thing, for instance the level of water in a tank. [Learn more] readings where the order might vary.

Usage

Here’s how to use this template function. Copy any example and adjust it to your setup.

{{ -5 | abs }}

5

Function signature

The signature is a technical summary of this template function. It shows the name of the function, the values (called parameters) it accepts, and what type of data each parameter expects (for example, a piece of text or a number).

Function parameters that have a = with a value after them are optional. If you leave them out, the default value shown is used automatically. Function parameters without a default are required.

value | abs() -> number

Function parameters

The following parameters can be provided to this filter.

Absolute value of a float

The filter works with both integers and floating-point numbers.

{{ -21.5 | abs }}

21.5

Good to know

• Raises an error when the value is not a number, so convert with float or int first if you’re working with state strings.
• Works on integers and floats and preserves the original numeric type.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Template, paste the example into the Template editor, and watch the result update on the right. Edit the values to see how the function adapts to your own entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more].

More examples

Real scenarios where this function comes up in automations and templates. Copy any example and adapt it to your setup.

Calculate temperature deviation

Find how far the current temperature is from a target, regardless of direction.

{% set current = states("sensor.temperature") | float(0) %}
{% set target = 22.0 %}
{{ (current - target) | abs | round(1) }} degrees from target

1.5 degrees from target

Compute the difference between two sensors

Calculate the absolute difference between two sensorSensors return information about a thing, for instance the level of water in a tank. [Learn more] readings.

{% set indoor = states("sensor.indoor_temp") | float(0) %}
{% set outdoor = states("sensor.outdoor_temp") | float(0) %}
Difference: {{ (indoor - outdoor) | abs | round(1) }} degrees

Difference: 8.3 degrees

Use in an automation condition

Only trigger when the power consumption change exceeds a threshold, regardless of direction.

condition:
  - condition: template
    value_template: >
      {{
        (states("sensor.power_now") | float(0)
        - states("sensor.power_previous") | float(0))
        | abs > 500
      }}

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with your template and expected result, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Related template functions

These functions work well alongside this one:

• Round a number: round - Rounds a numeric value to a specified number of decimal places using various rounding methods.

• Convert to float: float - Converts a value to a floating-point number, with an optional default if conversion fails.

• Convert to integer: int - Converts a value to an integer, with an optional default if conversion fails.

• Clamp (constrain) a value: clamp - Constrains a value between a minimum and maximum bound.