Square Calculator x²
Calculate the square of any number instantly. Supports whole numbers, decimals, negatives, and scientific notation.
Perfect Squares Reference Table
Perfect squares from 0 through 30 are listed below. A perfect square is the product of any integer multiplied by itself.
How to Square a Number
Squaring a number means multiplying it by itself. The notation n² (n superscript 2) is used in algebra and all branches of mathematics.
Squaring Positive Numbers
For any positive number n, n² is always positive. For example, 9² = 9 × 9 = 81, and 1.5² = 1.5 × 1.5 = 2.25.
Squaring Negative Numbers
Squaring a negative number always yields a positive result because a negative times a negative is positive. However, notation matters: (−5)² = 25, while −5² = −25 because the negative sign is applied after squaring. Use parentheses to be clear.
Squaring Decimals and Fractions
Decimals and fractions square just like whole numbers. For example, 0.5² = 0.25, and (3/4)² = 9/16 = 0.5625. The result of squaring a number between 0 and 1 is always smaller than the original number.
Scientific Notation
To square a number in scientific notation like 3 × 10&sup4;, square each part: 3² = 9 and (10&sup4;)² = 10&sup8;, giving 9 × 10&sup8;. This calculator handles scientific notation inputs automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
To square a number means to multiply it by itself. For example, 5 squared (written 5²) equals 5 × 5 = 25. The result is called a perfect square when the input is an integer.
The answer depends on parentheses. (−4)² = (−4) × (−4) = 16, because squaring a negative gives a positive. But −4² = −(4²) = −16. Always use parentheses to clarify which calculation you mean.
A perfect square is a number that is the square of an integer. Examples include 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, and 100. The square root of a perfect square is always a whole number.
0 squared equals 0. Any number multiplied by 0 equals 0, so 0² = 0 × 0 = 0.
Yes. Squaring a decimal works the same way as squaring a whole number. For example, 2.5² = 2.5 × 2.5 = 6.25, and 0.1² = 0.1 × 0.1 = 0.01.