How to Multiply in Google Sheets: 5 Quick Examples

Most people use Google Sheets for two basic purposes – creating a record database or doing simple calculations such as multiplying cells or columns.

There are many ways to multiply columns (or cells or numbers) in Google Sheets and you can use any of the methods based on how your data is structured.

In this tutorial, I will show you various methods of how to multiply in Google Sheets.

Multiplying Two Numbers in Google Sheets

If you have two numbers or two cells that have the numbers that you want to multiply, there are a couple of techniques to carry out multiplication on google sheets. There are 2 google sheet multiplication formula that you can use: Multiply and *

How to Multiply Cells on Google Sheets Using the MULTIPLY Function

Since multiplying numbers is such a common task, Google] decided to have a dedicated google sheet MULTIPLY formula in it (it’s not there is MS Excel, in case you’re wondering).

Suppose you want to multiply two numbers (12 and 14), here’s how to multiply on google spreadsheet:

Step 1: Type the equals sign “=” in the cell

Step 2: Type MULTIPLY or select it from the formula suggestion

Step 3: Type in the two values separated by a coma

Step 4: Close the bracket and click enter

you can use the below multiplication Google Sheets formula:

=MULTIPLY(12,14)

This MULTIPLY formula in google sheets is great to use when you only have two numbers and you want to quickly get the resulting value.

While I have hard-coded the numbers in the formula in the above example, you can also use the reference to cells that have these values.

For example, if cell A1 has 12 and A2 has 14, here’s how to multiply two cells in google sheets:

Step 1: Type the equals sign in the cell

Step 2: Type MULTIPLY or select it from the formula suggestion

Step 3: Select the first cell reference then type a coma

Step 4: Select the second cell reference

Step 4: Close the bracket and click enter

you will end up with the google sheets multiplication formula below to get the result:

=MULTIPLY(A1,A2)

The MULTIPLY sheets formula can only work with two arguments, but if you have more than two, then this formula will give you an error. Also, you can multiply two formula results or named ranges that refer to a  cell

How to Multiply in Google Sheets Using the Multiply Operator

You can also use the multiply operator (an asterisk sign) to quickly multiply two or more cells/numbers in Google Sheets.

Suppose you want to multiply two numbers (12 and 14):

Step 1: Type the equals sign in the cell

Step 2:  Type in the two values separated by an asterisk (*)

Step 3: Close the bracket and click enter

you will end up with the below formula:

=12*14

In case these values are in cell A1 and A2, you can use the below formula:

=A1*A2

With the multiplication operator, you can multiply more than two values. Just use the multiply operator between all the values that you want to multiply. You can also use the multiplication operator to square numbers in google sheets.

For example, if you have values in cell A1, A2, and A3, you can use the below formula:

=A1*A2*A3

Also, remember that in case any of these cells are empty, the formula will give you 0.

One important thing to know when using a multiplication operator is to follow the order of precedence. For example, if you use the below formula, it will give you 170 (as it first does the multiplication and then adds the 2 to the result):

=12*14+2

In case you want to add 2 to 14 first and then multiply, you need to use the below formula (where brackets are used to clearly segregate sections that need to be calculated first):

=12*(14+2)

Also read: How to Divide in Google Sheets

How to Multiply Columns in Google Sheets

While the above examples dealt with multiplying single values or cells, in this section, I will show you how to have google sheets multiply two columns (or multiply more than two columns) with a simple formula.

Suppose you have the dataset as shown below and you want to get the multiplied value of cells in the row in column C.

Step 1: Type the equals sign in the adjacent cell to the first row of data

Step 2: Type ARRAYFORMULA or select it from the formula suggestion

Step 3: Select the first column range

Step 4: Type in the asterisks (*)

Step 4: Select the second column range

Step 6: Close the bracket and click enter

Below is the formula that you will end up with:

=ARRAYFORMULA(A1:A10*B1:B10)

Since this is an array formula, you only need to enter this in cell C1 and it will automatically fill the rest of the column cells.

Also, with array formulas, you can not delete or edit a part of the resulting array. You can, however, delete the entire array if you want.

You can also use the below formula to first multiply the cells in the row, and then copy the formula for all the cells in the column.

Since the above is not an array formula, you can change or edit individual cells that you want.

In case you want to get the sum of all the multiplies value in a single cell, you can use the below SUMPRODUCT formula:

=SUMPRODUCT(A1:A10*B1:B10)

Tips for Multiplying in Google Sheets

Check your formulas – if you have a wrong result, it’s likely you’ve messed something small up in the function. Double-check you typed everything correctly.

Review the Operators – the multiply operator is * so you shouldn’t have any others except for brackets.

Choose the result cell carefully – make sure you’ve selected the right cell that you want to show the result in. The same goes for selecting an appropriate column.

Use cell references – once you wrap your head around cell references, it will save you a lot of time compared to writing the formula out manually.

Google Sheets Multiplication Formula FAQ

Can You Multiply Data Across Multiple Rows Without Entering a Formula in Every Row?

Yes you can multiply across multiple rows. the Google spreadsheet formula for multiplication across multiple rows is the ARRAYFORMULA. For example, let’s say you wanted to multiply rows 1-5 in columns A, B, and C. You could use the array formula:

=ARRAYFORMULA(A1:A5*B1:B5*C1:C5)

The colon in between the cell references tells the ARRAYFORMULA where to look and the * sign is the Google Sheets multiplication operator.

This will give you results in the entire column. Then, you can simply use one SUM formula if you’d like to get a grand total.

What Is the Formula to Multiply in Google Sheets?

MULTIPLY is the aptly named multiplication function in Google Sheets. For example, you could type:

=MULTIPLY(2,5)

and you would get a result of 10.

Alternatively, you can use the * operator instead like so:

=2*5

You’d get the correct answer whichever method you choose.

How Do I Multiply More Than 2 Numbers in Google Sheets?

Unfortunately, the Google spreadsheet MULTIPLY formula doesn’t work with more than 2 numbers. The simplest way to multiply 2 numbers is to use the * operator, like so:

=2*3*4*5

How to Do Multiplication in Google Sheets

So there are some ways you can multiply in Google Sheets. Based on whether you want to multiply cells or columns, you can choose from the MULTIPLY function in google sheets or the operator.

Hope you found this tutorial on how to multiply in Google Sheets useful. You can also read on how to calculate percentages in google sheets

Other Google Sheets tutorials you may like:

• • How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets
  • How to Number Rows in Google Sheets (Add Serial Numbers)
  • How to Count Cells with Specific Text In Google Sheets
  • How To Square In Google Sheets
  • Convert Formulas to Values in Google Sheets
  • How to Subtract in Google Sheets
  • How to Calculate Weighted Average In Google Sheets