Math function
Excel POWER function
POWER raises a number to a power, so POWER(5,2) is 25. It does exactly what the ^ operator does, but some people find it easier to read. Use it for squares, compound growth and roots.
=POWER(number, power)Arguments
number- The base number.
power- The exponent to raise it to. Fractions work too, like 1/3 for a cube root.
POWER examples
Every result below was calculated live from this sample sheet.
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Account | Deposit | Annual rate | Years |
| 2 | College fund | 10000 | 0.05 | 18 |
| 3 | House savings | 25000 | 0.04 | 5 |
| 4 | Emergency | 5000 | 0.035 | 3 |
Result: 144
12 squared is 144.
Result: 30416.32
Compound growth: what the house savings are worth after 5 years at 4%.
Result: 5
A fractional power takes a root. 1/3 gives the cube root of 125.
Result: 0.125
A negative power divides: 2 to the -3 is 1/8.
How to use POWER
- Click an empty cell.
- Type =POWER( and the base number.
- Type a comma and the power.
- Close the bracket and press Enter.
Common POWER mistakes
Writing 1/3 without brackets with ^
=A1^1/3 means (A1^1)/3. Use =A1^(1/3), or POWER(A1,1/3) which avoids the problem.
Even root of a negative number
POWER(-8,1/2) returns #NUM! because there is no real answer. Check the sign of your base.
Rate as a whole number
Growth needs 1+5%, not 1+5. Enter rates as 0.05 or 5% so the result is not huge.
POWER FAQ
How do I square a number in Excel?
Use =A1^2 or =POWER(A1,2). Both return the same result.
What is the difference between POWER and ^ in Excel?
There is none in the result. POWER(A1,3) and A1^3 are identical. Pick whichever reads more clearly.
How do I calculate compound interest in Excel?
Use =principal*(1+rate)^years, or =principal*POWER(1+rate,years). FV can do the same with regular deposits.
Related functions
Updated 2026-10-31