How to do multiplication in Google Sheets
Learn how to multiply numbers, cells, and columns in Google Sheets using the asterisk operator, the MULTIPLY function, and fill handles.
Quick answer
To multiply in Google Sheets, click any empty cell, type an equals sign, then enter the numbers or cell references separated by an asterisk, like =A2*B2. Press Enter to calculate the result. You can also use the MULTIPLY function, such as =MULTIPLY(A2,B2), or drag the fill handle to apply the formula down an entire column.
Steps at a glance
- Click an empty cell where you want the result to appear.
- Type an equals sign to start the formula.
- Enter two numbers or cell references separated by an asterisk (*).
- Press Enter to calculate the product.
- Use the MULTIPLY function as an alternative, e.g., =MULTIPLY(A2,B2).
- Drag the fill handle down to multiply an entire column.
Summary
Google Sheets lets you multiply numbers directly, reference cells in formulas, or apply the built-in MULTIPLY function to calculate products across a spreadsheet. This makes it easy to build running totals, unit price calculations, or column-wide multiplication without manual math.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Select the cell for your result
Click on the empty cell where you want the multiplication result to appear. This is usually a new column next to your existing data, similar to how you'd set up a column when you add columns for calculations.
Step 2
Start the formula with an equals sign
Every formula in Google Sheets begins with an equals sign (=). Type it into the selected cell to tell Sheets you're entering a calculation rather than plain text.
Step 3
Enter the multiplication formula using the asterisk operator
Type the numbers or cell references you want to multiply, separated by an asterisk (*). For example, type =4*5 to multiply two numbers directly, or =A2*B2 to multiply the values in cells A2 and B2.
Step 4
Press Enter to calculate the product
Hit Enter or Tab, and Sheets instantly displays the result in the cell. If you used cell references, the result updates automatically whenever the values in those referenced cells change.
Step 5
Try the MULTIPLY function as an alternative
Instead of the asterisk operator, you can use the built-in MULTIPLY function. Type =MULTIPLY(A2,B2) to get the same result as =A2*B2 — this works the same way as other formula functions like the one used for the use-sum-formula guide.
Step 6
Multiply an entire column at once
After entering your formula in the first row, click the small blue square (the fill handle) at the bottom-right corner of the cell and drag it down through the rest of your rows. Sheets automatically adjusts the cell references for each row, multiplying every pair of values in the column.
Step 7
Format the results if needed
If your multiplication involves currency or percentages, select the result column and apply number formatting from the toolbar (Format > Number). This keeps totals readable, especially in longer sheets where you might also want to freeze rows to keep headers visible while scrolling.
Why this matters
You need to calculate totals like price times quantity across dozens of rows, and doing the math by hand would take forever and invite errors. Learning these formulas lets you build a formula once and let Sheets recalculate instantly whenever your data changes.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the asterisk operator and the MULTIPLY function?
Both produce identical results. The asterisk (*) is faster to type for simple formulas, while the MULTIPLY function can be clearer when nesting inside more complex formulas.
Can I multiply a whole column by a single fixed number?
Yes. Use an absolute reference for the fixed number, such as =A2*$C$1, then drag the fill handle down. The dollar signs keep the reference to C1 locked while A2 updates for each row.
Why does my multiplication result show as 0?
One of the cells being referenced is likely empty, and Sheets treats blank cells as zero. Enter a value in the referenced cell or check for extra spaces that make the cell appear blank.
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