# How to raise a number to a power in Excel

Use the caret, as in `=2^A2`, or the function form `=POWER(2,A2)`.

**Excel:** `=2^A2` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B |
| --- | --- |
| Bits | Possible values |
| 8 |  |
| 10 |  |
| 12 |  |
| 16 |  |
| 24 |  |

Formula in B2, filled to B6: `=2^A2`

Result: 256; 1,024; 4,096; 65,536; 16,777,216

## How it works

The caret `^` means "to the power of", so `2^8` is 2 multiplied by itself 8 times: 256. Each bit doubles the number of possible values, which is why 16 bits hold 65,536. Exponents can be fractions (roots) or negative (1 divided by the power).

## Other ways

- `=POWER(2,A2)`: The function form; easier to read when the base or exponent is a long expression.

## Common mistakes

- Negation comes before the power in Excel: `=-2^2` is 4, not -4. Write `=-(2^2)` when you mean the negative.
- In `=2^A2*3` the power is calculated first, then the multiplication. Use parentheses when the exponent is an expression: `=2^(A2*3)`.

## Questions

**How do I square a number?**

Use `=A2^2`; for a cube, `=A2^3`.

**How do I type an exponent as superscript?**

That is formatting only: select the digit in the cell, press Ctrl+1 and tick Superscript. It doesn't calculate anything.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-30.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/raise-a-number-to-a-power