How to compare the similarity of 2 cells?

Hi guys, I want to compare the similarity of the 4-digit primary SIC code of an acquirer, and the 4-digit primary SIC code of a target. It's for my Master's thesis.

If the first digit of each code doesn't match: similarity = 0
If the first digit of each code matches: similarity = 1
If the two first digits of each match: similarity = 2
If the three first digits of each matches: similarity = 3
If the all the digits of each code matches: similarity = 4

What is the right formula?

Example:

Acquirer SIC	Target SIC	Similarity
1896	1896	4
1963	1900	2
6952	6327	1
5369	5369	4
6321	6312	2

try this formula...

=IF(LEFT(A1,4)=LEFT(B1,4),4,IF(LEFT(A1,3)=LEFT(B1,3),3,IF(LEFT(A1,2)=LEFT(B1,2),2,1)))

Hi glux,

FDibbins was short a zero so his formula was close but not exact. See the attached with another way to get the answer using:

=IF(H2=I2,4,IF(INT(H2/10)=INT(I2/10),3,IF(INT(H2/100)=INT(I2/100),2,IF(INT(H2/1000)=INT(I2/1000),1,0))))

It looks like Pete found the error also and improved it. Because you say the problem has only digits my formula does the same thing.