POWER function
POWER raises a number to a power, the same as the ^ operator. Use it for squares and cubes, compound growth (1 + rate raised to the number of years), and roots, since a fractional power such as 1/3 is a cube root.
- Available in
- Every current version
- Category
- Math functions
- Returns
- number raised to power.
- Google Sheets
- Works the same in Google Sheets.
Syntax
=POWER(number, power)
| Argument | Required? | What it is |
|---|---|---|
number | Required | The base number. |
power | Required | The exponent to raise it to. Fractions give roots: 1/2 is a square root. |
Examples
Each result below is calculated from the sample sheet by our formula engine, the same one that grades the practice.
| Cell | Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| D2 | =POWER(B2,2) | 144 | Area of a 12 ft square: 144 |
| D3 | =POWER(1+B3,B4) | 1.338225578 | Growth factor after 5 years at 6%: about 1.34 |
| D4 | =POWER(27,1/3) | 3 | A fractional power is a root: the cube root of 27 is 3 |
Try it live
This is the sample sheet. Change any number or text, or edit a formula, and the results update.
Show the sample data as a table
| Input | Value | ||
| Side (ft) | 12 | 144 | |
| Annual growth | 6% | 1.338225578 | |
| Years | 5 | 3 |
Practice POWER
Graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data.
Grow each deposit
E2, use POWER to find what each deposit is worth after compounding once a year: deposit × (1 + rate) to the power of years. Fill down to E6.Common mistakes
| What you see | Why, and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Growth result is tiny | You raised the rate itself, as in POWER(6%,5). Add 1 first: =POWER(1+B3,B4). |
| #NUM! | A negative number raised to a fractional power, such as =POWER(-8,1/3), has no real result in Excel. Work with the absolute value and add the sign back. |
| Result is far too big | The percent was typed as a whole number (6 instead of 6% or 0.06). |
Tips
- POWER(A2,B2) and A2^B2 are identical; use whichever reads better in your formula.
Questions
Is POWER the same as the ^ operator?
Yes. =POWER(2,3) and =2^3 both return 8.
How do I calculate compound interest in Excel?
Use =Principal*POWER(1+Rate,Years), for example =B2*POWER(1+C2,D2). FV does the same with regular deposits.
How do I square a number in Excel?
Use =A2^2 or =POWER(A2,2).
Last reviewed October 2026. Every example result on this page is calculated live by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine.