# parseFloat

#### Availability

Flash Player 5.

#### Usage

    parseFloat(string)

#### Parameters

`string` The string to read and convert to a floating-point number.

#### Returns

Nothing.

#### Description

Function; converts a string to a floating-point number. The function reads, or "parses," and returns the numbers in a string until it reaches a character that is not a part of the initial number. If the string does not begin with a number that can be parsed, `parseFloat` returns `NaN`. White space preceding valid integers is ignored, as are trailing nonnumeric characters.

#### Example

The following examples use the `parseFloat` function to evaluate various types of numbers.

`parseFloat("-2")` returns `-2`

`parseFloat("2.5")` returns`2.5`

`parseFloat("3.5e6")` returns `3.5e6,` or`3500000`

`parseFloat("foobar")` returns `NaN`

`parseFloat(" 5.1")` returns `5.1`

`parseFloat("3.75math")` returns `3.75`

`parseFloat("0garbage")` returns `0`