# Google Sheets SUMSQ Function: Syntax, Examples & Tips - URL: https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/sumsq-function - Author: Better Analyst Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account, more powerful analysis.Formula Bot is now Better Analyst—same account and workflows, with more powerful analysis, dashboards, and automation. [Learn what changed](https://betteranalyst.com/formula-bot-is-now-better-analyst) Returns the sum of the squares of a series of numbers and/or cells. ``` =SUMSQ(value1, [value2, ...]) ``` Generate FormulaExplain Formula One free generation or explanation per browser, shared across Excel and Google Sheets. Account usage limits apply afterward. Describe the SUMSQ you need in plain EnglishGenerate Formula ## Parameters | Parameter | Required | Description | | - | - | - | | **value1** | Yes | The first number or range whose values will be squared and added. | | **value2, ...** | No | Additional numbers or ranges to include. | ## What Is SUMSQ? SUMSQ squares each number you give it and then adds those squares together. `=SUMSQ(3, 4)` returns 25, because 3² + 4² = 9 + 16. It accepts individual numbers, cell references and whole ranges, so `=SUMSQ(A2:A100)` squares and totals every value in the range in one step. ## How SUMSQ Works For each numeric value in its arguments, SUMSQ multiplies the value by itself and adds the result to a running total. It is equivalent to: ``` =SUMPRODUCT(A2:A100, A2:A100) ``` or ``` =SUM(ARRAYFORMULA(A2:A100^2)) ``` but shorter and clearer. ### How SUMSQ treats different values - **Numbers in ranges** are squared and summed. - **Blank cells and text inside a range** are ignored. - **Numbers typed directly as arguments** are always included. - **Negative numbers** become positive when squared, so `=SUMSQ(-3)` returns 9. ## Basic Examples ### Sum of squares of a few numbers ``` =SUMSQ(1, 2, 3) ``` Returns 14 (1 + 4 + 9). ### Sum of squares of a range ``` =SUMSQ(B2:B20) ``` ### Multiple ranges ``` =SUMSQ(B2:B20, D2:D20) ``` Squares every number in both ranges and adds them all together. ### Length of a vector (Euclidean norm) ``` =SQRT(SUMSQ(B2:D2)) ``` Returns the magnitude of a 3-dimensional vector stored in B2:D2 — for example, the straight-line distance from the origin. ### Distance between two points ``` =SQRT(SUMSQ(C2-A2, D2-B2)) ``` With x1, y1 in A2:B2 and x2, y2 in C2:D2, this gives the distance between the points. ## Statistical Uses The sum of squares is a building block of many statistics: - **Root mean square (RMS)**: `=SQRT(SUMSQ(B2:B100)/COUNT(B2:B100))` - **Sum of squared errors** between forecasts and actuals: `=SUMXMY2(B2:B100, C2:C100)` is the dedicated function, but SUMSQ works on a pre-computed error column. - **Variance by hand**: the squared deviations from the mean can be totalled with DEVSQ, which is SUMSQ applied after subtracting the mean. ## Common Use Cases - **Engineering and physics**: Vector magnitudes, RMS voltage or current. - **Forecast accuracy**: Totalling squared residuals. - **Geometry**: Pythagorean distances. - **Data science**: Feature normalisation (L2 norm). ## Common Errors - **Unexpectedly small result**: Numbers stored as text in a range are skipped silently. Convert them with VALUE or check with ISNUMBER. - **#VALUE!**: A text value that cannot be read as a number was typed directly as an argument (for example `=SUMSQ("abc")`). - **Confusing SUMSQ with SUM squared**: `=SUMSQ(2, 3)` is 13, while `=POW(SUM(2, 3), 2)` is 25. They are different calculations. - **Error values in the range**: Any `#N/A` or `#DIV/0!` inside the range makes SUMSQ return that error. Clean the range or use IFERROR upstream. ## Tips and Best Practices - Use DEVSQ when you want squared deviations from the mean rather than raw squares. - Use SUMX2MY2, SUMX2PY2 and SUMXMY2 for paired-array variants. - Pair SUMSQ with SQRT for magnitudes and distances. - SUMSQ accepts up to many ranges at once, so there is no need to build helper columns of squared values. ## Related Functions [POW](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/pow-function), SQRT, SUMPRODUCT, DEVSQ, SUMXMY2, VAR, and STDEV. ## Example use case An engineer logging AC voltage samples in column B needs the RMS value. The formula =SQRT(SUMSQ(B2:B501)/COUNT(B2:B501)) squares every sample, averages the squares and takes the square root, giving the effective voltage in a single cell. ## Need more help with Google Sheets formulas? Sign up for Better Analyst and get unlimited AI-powered formula generation, explanations, and advanced data analysis. [Create Free Account](https://betteranalyst.com/signup)[Try Formula Generator](https://betteranalyst.com/excel-ai) ## Google Sheets how-to guides - [How To Copy Formula In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-copy-formula-in-google-sheets) - [How To Count Unique Values In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-count-unique-values-in-google-sheets) - [How To Create A Pivot Table In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-create-a-pivot-table-in-google-sheets) - [How To Divide In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-divide-in-google-sheets) - [How To Enable Macros In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-enable-macros-in-google-sheets) - [How To Filter In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-filter-in-google-sheets) - [How To Find Circular References In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-find-circular-references-in-google-sheets) - [How To Find Duplicates In Google Sheets](https://betteranalyst.com/google-sheets/how-to-find-duplicates-in-google-sheets) ## Explore all Google Sheets formulas Browse our complete library of Google Sheets formula guides Compare your options ## Decide with evidence, not a sales pitch. 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