Square a number

Applies To
Excel for Microsoft 365 Excel 2024 Excel 2021

You can square a number in Excel by using the exponent operator or the power function. Use the formula =N^2, in which N is either a number or the value of the cell you want to square. You can use this formula multiple times throughout a worksheet.

Square a number in its own cell

Follow these steps:

  1. Select a cell on your worksheet.

  2. Type =N^2 into the cell, where N is the number you want to square. For example, to insert the square of 5 into cell A1, type =5^2 into the cell.

    Screenshot that shows the formula is in the cell.

  3. Press Enter to see the result.

    Tip

    You can also select another cell to see the squared result.

    Screenshot that shows the squared result is in the cell.

Square a number in a different cell

Follow these steps:

  1. Select a cell and type the number that you want to square.
  2. Select another empty cell in the worksheet.
  3. Type =N^2 into the empty cell, where N is a cell reference that contains the numeric value you want to square. For example, to display the square of the value in cell A1 into cell B1, type =A1^2 into cell B1.
  4. Press Enter to see the result.

Need more help?

You can always ask an expert in the Excel Tech Community or get support in Communities.

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