Type =N^2 in a cell, replacing N with the number or a cell reference, and press Enter. For example, =5^2 gives 25, and =A1^2 squares whatever value is in cell A1. Microsoft says the POWER function, such as =POWER(5,2), does the same job.
| You want to square | Type this | Result |
|---|---|---|
| A number on its own | =5^2 | 25 |
| The value in cell A1 | =A1^2 | Whatever A1 holds, squared |
| A number with the function | =POWER(5,2) | 25 |
Squaring is one of those jobs people overthink in Excel. There's no SQUARE button on the ribbon, but there are two short formulas that do the job in a single cell, and both are explained in Microsoft's pages on how to square a number and on the POWER function.
The ^ operator, step by step
- Select a cell and type =N^2, where N is the number you want to square. For example, =5^2.
- Press Enter to see the result.
- To square a value held in another cell, type that number in a cell, select an empty cell and type =A1^2, using the real cell reference.
The ^ symbol is the exponent operator, and the 2 after it is the power you're raising the number to. Swap the 2 for another number and you've got cubes and beyond, using the same shape of formula.
Reading the formula piece by piece
Every part of =5^2 has a job. The equals sign tells Excel a calculation is coming. The 5 is the number being worked on, the ^ symbol says raise it to a power, and the 2 is that power. Together they multiply 5 by itself, which is why the answer is 25.
The same structure works with a cell reference in place of the 5. That's what makes the formula so reusable, since the part that changes is only the input and the shape stays the same.
A worked example with cell references
Put a 5 in cell A1. In an empty cell, type =A1^2 and press Enter, and you'll see 25. Now change the 5 in A1 to another number and the squared result updates to match, because the formula reads whatever sits in A1.
That's the advantage of using a cell reference rather than typing the number into the formula. You can change the input as often as you like and never retype the calculation.
The POWER function, if you prefer it
POWER(number, power) returns a number raised to a power, so =POWER(5,2) returns 25. It's the same answer as =5^2. The ^ operator can be used instead of POWER, and which you choose is down to what you find easier to read in a long formula.
One detail worth knowing from Microsoft's page is that the base number in POWER can be any real number. That covers negative and decimal values as well as whole numbers.
Squaring often turns up inside something larger, such as a calculation of area or a variance check. The principle holds there too: wherever the formula needs a squared value, put the ^2 expression or the POWER function in its place and Excel works it out first.
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Both routes give identical answers, so it's purely a style choice. The operator is shorter and easier to scan in a cell. The function spells out what it's doing, which some people find clearer when they come back to a sheet months later.
Slips that cause errors
- Leaving off the equals sign. Without it, Excel treats what you typed as plain text.
- Typing N literally. Replace it with a real number or a cell reference such as A1.
- Squaring the wrong cell. Check the reference you typed matches where the value sits.
- Forgetting to press Enter, so the formula never calculates.
If you're building bigger calculations, the guides to the PMT function and VLOOKUP follow the same pattern of typing a formula and pressing Enter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula to square a number in Excel?
Use =N^2 with a number or a cell reference in place of N. Try =5^2 and you'll get 25.
Is there a function instead of the ^ symbol?
Yes, POWER. Writing =POWER(5,2) gives the same result as =5^2.
Is a negative or decimal base allowed?
Yes, POWER accepts any real number as its base, so negatives and decimals both work.
How do I square a value from elsewhere on the sheet?
Refer to its cell in the formula, as in =A1^2. Excel then works from whatever that cell holds.
Which should I use, ^ or POWER?
Either one. Microsoft says the operator can be used instead of the function, so pick whichever reads better to you and stay consistent across a workbook.
Why do I just see my formula as text?
Check it starts with an equals sign. A formula typed without one is treated as ordinary text.
