How to Type Exponents on Keyboard (Superscript Numbers & ^ Caret)

Exponents show “powers” — for example x² (x squared), 10³ (10 cubed), or m² (square meters).

Here’s the most important thing to know upfront:

There is no single “exponent symbol” on a keyboard.
When people say “exponent symbol,” they usually mean one of these:

1. Superscript numbers (the raised numbers): x², x³, x⁴
2. Caret exponent operator in plain text/programming: x^2
3. Scientific notation in spreadsheets: 3.2E5 (meaning 3.2 × 10⁵)

This guide covers all three, so you can choose the right one for Word, Google Docs, Excel, or simple typing.

You can also copy and paste or generate your own exponenets or superscript with the tools below.

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1-Minute Answer (Fastest Ways)

Windows (fastest)

• Copy/paste superscripts: ² and ³ are the most common. Copy them from this page (or use the widget above).
• Word superscript formatting: press Ctrl + Shift + = to turn superscript on → type your number → press Ctrl + Shift + = again to turn it off.

Mac (fastest)

• Insert superscripts with Character Viewer: press Control + Command + Space, search “superscript”, then insert what you need.
• Word superscript formatting: press Command + Shift + = to toggle superscript on/off.

Microsoft Word (fastest)

• Toggle superscript:
  • Windows: Ctrl + Shift + =
  • Mac: Command + Shift + =
    Type the number, then toggle it off again.

Google Docs (fastest)

• Go to Format → Text → Superscript
• Keyboard shortcut:
  • Windows/Chromebook: Ctrl + .
  • Mac: Command + .

Excel / Google Sheets (very important)

• Exponents in formulas: use the caret ^
  • Example: =A1^2 or =10^3
• Or use POWER()
  • Example: =POWER(A1,2)
• Scientific notation (“E”): 3.2E5 means 3.2 × 10^5

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Quick Reference (Superscripts + ^ Caret)

Common superscript digits (copy/paste):

⁰ ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹

Most searched (copy/paste):

² ³

Unicode:

Character	Name	Unicode
⁰	Superscript 0	U+2070
¹	Superscript 1	U+00B9
²	Superscript 2	U+00B2
³	Superscript 3	U+00B3
⁴	Superscript 4	U+2074
⁵	Superscript 5	U+2075
⁶	Superscript 6	U+2076
⁷	Superscript 7	U+2077
⁸	Superscript 8	U+2078
⁹	Superscript 9	U+2079

Caret exponent operator: ^

• On many US keyboards it’s Shift + 6, but keyboard layouts vary. Look for the key that has ^ printed above it.

A) Windows: How to Type Exponents (General)

1) Type the caret exponent operator: ^

1. Click where you want to type.
2. Find the key with ^ on it.
3. On many keyboards, press Shift + (that key) (often Shift + 6 on US layouts).
4. Type your exponent in normal text: x^2

Tip: This is best for plain text (emails, code, notes). It will not automatically “raise” the number like x².

2) Insert superscripts by copy/paste (fast + works everywhere)

1. Copy the superscript you need (example: ² or ³).
2. Paste it where you want it:
   • Ctrl + V to paste

This works in Word, Excel, Google Docs, PowerPoint, browsers, and most apps.

3) Use the Windows emoji/symbol panel (sometimes helpful)

1. Press Win + . (or Win + ;)
2. Check the Symbols area
3. If you don’t see superscripts, use the widget/copy method instead (it’s more reliable).

4) Character Map (optional)

1. Press Start and search Character Map
2. Open it
3. Search for “superscript”
4. Select the character → Copy → paste it into your document

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B) Mac: How to Type Exponents (General)

1) Type the caret exponent operator: ^

• On many Mac keyboard layouts (including US), Shift + 6 types ^
• If it’s different on your keyboard, look for the ^ marking on a key.

2) Use Character Viewer to insert superscripts (best Mac method)

1. Click where you want the exponent.
2. Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer.
3. In the search box, type superscript.
4. Click the superscript number you want (like ² or ³) to insert it.

If you don’t find it immediately, try searching:

• superscript two
• superscript three
• superscript digits

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C) Microsoft Word (Windows + Mac)

Method 1: Use the Superscript shortcut (fastest)

This turns superscript on, then you type, then you turn it off.

Windows

1. Type your base text (example: x)
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + =
3. Type the exponent (example: 2)
4. Press Ctrl + Shift + = again to turn superscript off

Mac

1. Type your base text
2. Press Command + Shift + =
3. Type the exponent
4. Press Command + Shift + = again to turn it off

Method 2: Insert → Symbol (good for one-off inserts)

1. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
2. Find the superscript you need (some fonts/subsets show them more clearly)
3. Click Insert

Method 3: Unicode then Alt+X (advanced, keep it brief)

This is a Word feature where you type a Unicode value, then convert it.

Example (for ²):

1. Type 00B2
2. Press Alt + X
   Word converts it to ²

Tip: This is handy if you use a lot of superscripts and remember a few codes.

Quick tips so it looks right

• After typing the exponent, toggle superscript off before continuing your normal text.
• If spacing looks weird, try:
  • Typing the base first, then superscript
  • Or copy/pasting a single superscript character (²/³) which often looks clean.

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D) Google Docs

Method: Format → Text → Superscript

1. Type your base (example: x)
2. Go to Format → Text → Superscript
3. Type the exponent (example: 2)
4. Turn superscript off the same way when you’re done

Keyboard shortcuts

• Windows/Chromebook: Ctrl + .
• Mac: Command + .

How to turn it off

Use the same shortcut again (Ctrl + . or Command + .) or go back to Format → Text → Superscript.

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E) Excel / Google Sheets (Very Important)

Spreadsheets handle exponents differently depending on what you’re trying to do.

1) Exponents in formulas: use caret ^

• Square a value: =A1^2
• Cube a value: =A1^3
• Ten to the third: =10^3

This is the standard spreadsheet exponent operator.

2) Use the POWER() function

Some people prefer POWER because it’s very clear:

• =POWER(A1,2)
• =POWER(10,3)

3) How to DISPLAY “m²” in a cell (text)

If you want the cell to show m² (not calculate anything), do this:

1. Type m
2. Insert ² by copy/paste (or use the widget)
3. Your cell will display: m²

Same idea for m³.

4) Scientific notation (“E notation”) explained simply

In Excel/Sheets, you might see something like:

• 3.2E5 → means 3.2 × 10^5 (which is 320,000)
• 1E3 → means 1 × 10^3 (which is 1,000)

If you see E+05 and don’t want it, check the troubleshooting section below.

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F) iPhone / Android

Most phone keyboards don’t have easy superscript keys built in.

Best options:

• Copy/paste superscripts from the widget on this page
• Use a Unicode/superscript keyboard app (if you type exponents often)
• Use plain text ^ when formatting isn’t important (example: x^2)

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Best Practices + Common Use Cases

Squared and cubed (most common)

• m² (square meters), cm² (square centimeters)
• m³ (cubic meters)

Math homework

• x² and x³ usually look best as real superscripts (Word/Docs formatting or Unicode superscripts)

Plain text and programming

• Use x^2 in email, notes, and code when formatting isn’t available

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Troubleshooting

“I typed ^ but it doesn’t look like x²”

That’s normal. ^ is a plain-text exponent marker, not a real superscript.
If you want x², use:

• Word/Docs superscript formatting, or
• Copy/paste ²

“My Word superscript won’t turn off”

Press the superscript shortcut again:

• Windows: Ctrl + Shift + =
• Mac: Command + Shift + =

“I can’t find superscripts in Character Viewer (Mac)”

In Character Viewer search, try:

• superscript
• superscript two
• superscript digits

Also try inserting from the widget on this page (usually fastest).

“Excel shows E+05 (scientific notation)”

That means Excel is displaying the number in scientific notation.

Try one of these:

1. Select the cells
2. Go to Home → Number Format
3. Choose Number (or increase decimal places if needed)

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FAQ (Quick Answers)

How do I type x² on Windows?

Use Word/Docs superscript formatting, or copy/paste ²:

• Word: type x, press Ctrl + Shift + =, type 2, press the shortcut again
• Anywhere: type x then paste ²

How do I type x² on Mac?

• Use Word superscript: Command + Shift + =
• Or open Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) and search superscript, then insert ²

How do I type the power of 2 symbol?

Most people mean ² (superscript 2). Copy/paste: ²

How do I do exponents in Excel?

Use caret ^ in a formula:

• =A1^2
  Or use:
• =POWER(A1,2)

What does ^ mean in math/programming?

It’s often used to mean “raise to a power” in plain text: x^2.
In many programming languages, ^ can mean something else (like XOR), so always follow the rules of the tool you’re using.

How do I type m² in Word/Docs?

• Type m
• Turn superscript on (Word/Docs), type 2, turn it off
  Or just paste: m²

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Quick Recap

• Want a real raised exponent like x²? Use superscript formatting (Word/Docs) or copy/paste superscripts.
• Want a simple typing version like x^2? Use the caret ^.
• In Excel/Sheets formulas, use ^ or POWER().
• If you see E+05, that’s scientific notation display.