Squared Symbol (²) on Keyboard in Word/Excel

The squared symbol (²) is a superscript 2. It’s used in math and science (like x²), and in area units such as m², cm², km², ft², in².

Most keyboards don’t have a dedicated key for ², so you’ll usually type it using Alt codes, symbol pickers, or superscript formatting.

1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

Windows (fastest)

• Alt code: Hold Alt and type 0178 on the numeric keypad → ².
• Or just copy/paste: ²

Mac (fastest)

• Press Control + Command + Space → search superscript or squared → insert ²

Microsoft Word (fastest)

• Make “2” superscript (x²): Type x2 → highlight the 2 → Ctrl + Shift + = (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + = (Mac)
• Or: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols → choose ²

Excel (fastest)

• For display: copy/paste ² (like m²)
• For a formula result: use =CHAR(178) (or =UNICHAR(178)) to return ²

Google Docs / Google Sheets (fastest)

• Docs: Type x2 → highlight 2 → Format → Text → Superscript (shortcut: Ctrl + . / Cmd + .)
• Sheets: for calculations use ^2 (example: =A1^2) — for display use ² (copy/paste)

iPhone / Android (fastest)

• Most reliable: copy/paste ²
• You can also save it as a text replacement (optional tip below)

Chromebook (fastest)

• Copy/paste ²
• In Google Docs on Chromebook, you can also use Superscript formatting (same menu/shortcut as above)