## Syntax
```mermaid
%%{init: {
'theme': 'base',
'flowchart': { 'padding': '7', 'nodeSpacing': '20', 'rankSpacing': '20' },
'themeVariables': {
'fontSize': '11px',
'fontFamily': 'Arial'
}
}}%%
flowchart LR
Start((START)) --> TO_NUMBER[TO_NUMBER]:::quoted
TO_NUMBER --> End((END))
```
## Purpose
The `TO_NUMBER` SQL function casts a value into a `number`. Non-castable values raise an error; prevent such an error by first checking the value using [[IS_NUMBER]].
Parameters:
- Input (`ANY`): value to cast.
- Format: format mask. Optional; defaults to configured number format. The list of format masks is available in [[Format Masks]].
Returns: the input cast as a `number`.
## Examples
The following example casts `'1234567890'` to a `number`:
```sql
select to_number('1234567890')
----------------
1234567890
```