# Google Sheets MULTIPLY Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips

- URL: https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/multiply-function
- Author: Better Analyst

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Returns the product of two numbers; the function form of the \* operator.

```
=MULTIPLY(factor1, factor2)
```

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## Parameters

| Parameter | Required | Description |
| - | - | - |
| **factor1** | Yes | The first number to multiply. Can be a number or a reference to a cell containing one. |
| **factor2** | Yes | The second number to multiply. |

## What Is MULTIPLY?

MULTIPLY returns the result of multiplying two numbers together. It is the named-function equivalent of the asterisk operator: `=MULTIPLY(A2, B2)` gives the same answer as `=A2*B2`.

## How MULTIPLY Relates to the `*` Operator

Google Sheets provides a function for each basic arithmetic operator:

| Function | Operator | Example | Same as |
| - | - | - | - |
| ADD | `+` | `=ADD(5, 3)` | `=5+3` |
| [MINUS](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/minus-function) | `-` | `=MINUS(5, 3)` | `=5-3` |
| MULTIPLY | `*` | `=MULTIPLY(5, 3)` | `=5*3` |
| DIVIDE | `/` | `=DIVIDE(6, 3)` | `=6/3` |
| [POW](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/pow-function) | `^` | `=POW(5, 3)` | `=5^3` |

The key limitation is that MULTIPLY accepts **exactly two** arguments. The `*` operator can be chained (`=A2*B2*C2`), and the PRODUCT function accepts any number of values and ranges. MULTIPLY is best thought of as a readable alias for a single multiplication.

## Basic Examples

### Multiply two numbers

```
=MULTIPLY(12, 4)
```

Returns 48.

### Price times quantity

```
=MULTIPLY(B2, C2)
```

Returns the line total for a unit price in B2 and a quantity in C2.

### Apply a rate

```
=MULTIPLY(D2, 0.2)
```

Returns 20% of the value in D2, for example a tax or commission amount.

### Nesting for more than two factors

```
=MULTIPLY(MULTIPLY(B2, C2), 1-D2)
```

Calculates price × quantity × (1 − discount). For readability, `=B2*C2*(1-D2)` or `=PRODUCT(B2, C2, 1-D2)` is usually better.

## How MULTIPLY Handles Inputs

- **Blank cells** are treated as 0, so the result is 0.
- **Booleans** are converted: TRUE is 1 and FALSE is 0. `=MULTIPLY(B2, C2="Yes")` returns B2 when C2 is "Yes" and 0 otherwise.
- **Numbers stored as text** that look numeric are generally coerced to numbers, but text that can't be read as a number causes a #VALUE! error.
- **Ranges**: MULTIPLY expects single values. To multiply two columns row by row use `=ARRAYFORMULA(B2:B100*C2:C100)`, and to multiply and add in one step use SUMPRODUCT.

## Common Use Cases

- **Invoices and order forms**: Unit price × quantity.
- **Commission and tax**: Amount × rate.
- **Unit conversions**: Kilometres × 0.621371 to get miles.
- **Scaling**: Apply a growth factor to a forecast.
- **Readable formulas for non-technical users**: Spelling out MULTIPLY can make a shared template easier to follow.

## Common Errors

- **Too many arguments**: `=MULTIPLY(A2, B2, C2)` returns an error because MULTIPLY only takes two factors. Use PRODUCT or chained `*`.
- **#VALUE!**: One of the inputs is text that can't be interpreted as a number, such as "12 units". Clean it with VALUE, or strip the text with REGEXREPLACE.
- **Passing a range**: `=MULTIPLY(B2:B10, 2)` without ARRAYFORMULA won't return a column of results. Wrap it, or use the `*` operator inside ARRAYFORMULA.
- **Result of 0**: Usually a blank input cell. Check for empty references.

## Tips and Best Practices

- For two values, `*` and MULTIPLY are interchangeable; pick one style and use it consistently across a workbook.
- Use PRODUCT when multiplying three or more values or a whole range.
- Use SUMPRODUCT to multiply two columns and total the results in one formula (`=SUMPRODUCT(B2:B100, C2:C100)`).
- Format the result cell (currency, percent) rather than rounding inside the formula, unless you need the rounded value downstream.

## Related Functions

ADD, [MINUS](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/minus-function), DIVIDE, PRODUCT, SUMPRODUCT, [POW](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/pow-function), and [UMINUS](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/uminus-function).

## Example use case

A small business owner builds an invoice template in Google Sheets. In the Line Total column she uses =MULTIPLY(B2, C2) to multiply each item's unit price by the quantity ordered, then sums the column to get the invoice subtotal.

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## Google Sheets how-to guides

- [How To Multiply In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-multiply-in-google-sheets)
- [How To Unhide Rows In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-unhide-all-rows-in-google-sheets)
- [How To Unprotect Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-unprotect-google-sheets)
- [How To Wrap Text In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-wrap-text-in-google-sheets)
- [Google Sheets Conditional Formatting](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/google-sheets-conditional-formatting)
- [How To Add A Column In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-add-a-column-in-google-sheets)
- [How To Alphabetize In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-alphabetize-in-google-sheets)
- [How To Autofit In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-autofit-in-google-sheets)

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