How to use the Excel POWER function

Summary

The Excel POWER function returns a number to a given power. The POWER function works like an exponent in a standard math equation.

Purpose

Raise a number to a power

Return value

Number raised to power

Syntax

=POWER (number, power)

Arguments

number - Number to raise to a power.
power - Exponent to raise power to.

Usage notes

The POWER function can be used to raise a number to a given power. The POWER function works like an exponent in a standard math equation. In Excel, exponentiation is handled with the caret (^) operator, so:

2^2=POWER(2,2)=4
2^3=POWER(2,3)=8
2^4=POWER(2,4)=16

Related functions

Excel SQRT Function

The Excel SQRT function returns the square root of a positive number. SQRT returns an error if number is negative.

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