How to Multiply Different Cells in Excel With a Formula

To multiply different cells in Excel, select an empty cell, type a formula that starts with an equals sign and uses an asterisk between cell references, then press Enter. For example, if the values are in A2 and B2, enter =A2*B2. Excel calculates their product and updates it when either input changes.

You can multiply two cells, combine several cell references in one calculation, or use PRODUCT for a group of cells. The steps below use Microsoft Excel for Microsoft 365 on Windows; the formulas also work in Excel for Mac and Excel for the web.

What You’ll Need

An Excel workbook with the numbers you want to multiply. Put each value in its own cell and note the cell addresses, such as A2 and B2.
An empty cell for the answer. It can be on the same worksheet or another worksheet.
A basic understanding that Excel formulas begin with an equals sign. Use the asterisk (*) for multiplication; the letter x is not a multiplication operator in an Excel formula.

Step-by-Step

Arrange and identify the values. Enter the values you need in separate cells. For a simple example, put 6 in A2 and 4 in B2. Click either cell to see its address in the Name Box, to the left of the formula bar. Keeping related input values together makes formulas easier to check and copy later.
Select the cell where the answer should appear. Click an unused cell, such as C2. The formula will be stored in that result cell, while the original numbers stay in A2 and B2. Choose a result column or row that is clearly labeled, especially if the worksheet contains several calculations.
Enter the multiplication formula. With 6 in A2 and 4 in B2, type =A2*B2 in C2 and press Enter. The formula starts with =, names the first cell, uses *, and names the second cell. The displayed result is 24. You can type the formula directly or type =, click A2, type *, and click B2 before pressing Enter.
Multiply more than two cells when needed. If A2 contains 6, B2 contains 4, and C2 contains 3, select D2 and enter =A2*B2*C2. The result is 72 because 6 × 4 × 3 = 72. Add another asterisk and cell reference for each additional value. Check that every reference points to the intended input cell.
Use PRODUCT for a range or a list of cells. If A2 contains 6, A3 contains 4, and A4 contains 3, enter =PRODUCT(A2:A4) in A5. PRODUCT multiplies the values in the range and returns 72. You can also use separate references rather than one continuous range; with the same values in A2, B2, and C2, =PRODUCT(A2,C2) returns 18. Use a comma to separate individual arguments in Microsoft 365 on Windows.
Copy the formula down a column. For a practical row-by-row example, put quantities in A2:A4 and unit values in B2:B4, then enter the multiplication formula in C2. With the quantity in A2 and its matching unit value in B2, the formula is =A2*B2; if A2 is 3 and B2 is 12, C2 displays 36. Select C2 and drag the small square at its lower-right corner, called the fill handle, down through C4. Excel adjusts the row references for each copied formula, so the next row uses A3 and B3, then A4 and B4. Double-clicking the fill handle can fill down when the neighboring column has a continuous block of data.
Keep a reference fixed when copying, if required. Sometimes every row must use one shared value, such as a factor stored in E1. With quantities in B2:B5 and the shared factor 12 in E1, enter =B2*$E$1 in C2. If B2 is 3, the result is 36. The dollar signs make the E1 reference absolute, so copying the formula down changes B2 to B3, but keeps E1 fixed. You can type the dollar signs yourself; in Windows Excel, pressing F4 while a cell reference is selected in the formula can cycle through reference styles. On a Mac, the shortcut can depend on the keyboard and function-key settings, so typing the dollar signs is a reliable alternative.
Check the result and the formula. Select the result cell and look at the formula bar. Confirm that the displayed value is what you expect and that each reference points to the right input. For instance, if the product should be 24 but Excel shows 10, inspect the references and the values rather than replacing the formula with a typed answer. A formula recalculates when its referenced values change, provided calculation is set to Automatic.

Common Mistakes

Using x instead of *: Excel does not read a formula such as =A2xB2 as multiplication. Use the asterisk, which is usually on the number pad or available with Shift+8 on many Windows keyboards.

Leaving out the equals sign: If you type A2*B2 without the initial =, Excel may treat the entry as text instead of calculating it. Start every formula with =.

Selecting the wrong cell: A formula can be syntactically correct and still multiply the wrong values. Click each referenced cell while editing the formula, or compare the references in the formula bar with the worksheet headings.

Copying a relative reference that should stay fixed: By default, Excel changes references as a formula is copied. If each row should use the same factor or rate, make that reference absolute with dollar signs, as in the example above.

Including a header or the wrong range: A range such as A1:A4 may include a text heading in A1. PRODUCT ignores text in referenced cells, but an incorrect range can still omit a number or include unrelated values. Select and verify the exact data cells.

Expecting a blank input to behave like a missing value: In a direct multiplication formula, a blank referenced cell is treated as zero, so the product becomes zero. If an input has not been filled in yet, check for that blank before interpreting the answer.

Tips

Use cell references rather than typing the numbers into the formula. A formula such as =A2*B2 reflects changes to the source values. A formula with fixed numbers will not follow edits to those input cells.
Choose the clearest method for the layout. Use the asterisk for a couple of cells or when the order of the calculation matters. Use PRODUCT for a longer list or a continuous range. Both methods return a product, but a visible list of references can be easier to audit when only a few cells are involved.
Add labels beside your data. Headings such as Quantity, Unit Value, and Total help you and other readers understand what each column represents. Keep the formula result in its own column rather than overwriting one of the inputs.
Use parentheses when combining multiplication with other operations. Excel follows its standard order of operations. If you combine multiplication with addition or subtraction, parentheses make your intended order explicit and help prevent misunderstandings.
Format results for readability, not to change the calculation. Use Home > Number Format to choose a display format such as Number or Currency where appropriate. Formatting changes how a value looks, not the underlying product.
Be cautious with whole-column ranges. A formula that refers to a complete column can include future entries and unrelated data. A precise range, such as A2:A20, is easier to review when you know where your input list ends.

Troubleshooting

The cell displays the formula instead of the answer. First check whether the cell is formatted as Text. Change it to General using Home > Number Format > General, then edit the cell and press Enter again. A leading apostrophe can also make an entry text. If many cells show formulas, check whether Show Formulas is enabled on the Formulas tab and turn it off.

The answer is zero unexpectedly. Check whether any referenced cell is blank or contains 0. Confirm that the formula points to the cells with the visible numbers, not to an empty neighboring cell. If the values are the result of formulas, inspect those source formulas too.

You see #VALUE!. One or more cells used in a direct multiplication formula may contain text that Excel cannot use as a number, such as a note typed into a value cell. Check the referenced cells, remove stray text, and enter numeric values. A number stored as text may also need converting to a number before the multiplication works as intended.

The result does not change after you edit an input. In Windows Excel, select Formulas > Calculation Options > Automatic. If calculation was set to Manual, choose Automatic and recalculate. On Mac, check the Calculation setting in Excel’s preferences; the available labels can vary slightly by release. Excel for the web normally recalculates formulas automatically.

Copying down repeats the same result or uses the wrong factor. Select a copied result and inspect its formula bar. If a reference moved that should have stayed put, add dollar signs around that cell reference. If a reference did not move but should have, remove the dollar signs. Also confirm that the fill handle was dragged through the intended rows.

The formula is rejected as you type it. Check for a missing equals sign, missing asterisk, or unmatched parentheses. When using PRODUCT with separate cell references, separate the arguments with commas in the Windows setup covered here. If your Excel regional settings use a different list separator, follow the separator Excel accepts in that installation; the multiplication operator itself remains *.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I multiply two cells in Excel?
In an empty result cell, enter a formula with an equals sign and an asterisk between the two references. For values in A2 and B2, use the example in Step 3 and press Enter.

Can I multiply cells that are not next to each other?
Yes. Put an asterisk between the references you need, even if the cells are far apart or on the same worksheet in different columns. For a list of separate references, PRODUCT can also take individual cell references separated by commas.

What is the difference between * and PRODUCT?
The asterisk is the multiplication operator and is straightforward for a short calculation. PRODUCT multiplies a range or a list of references, which can be convenient when you have several inputs. Choose the approach that makes the references easiest to check.

Can I multiply cells on different worksheets?
Yes. When you build a formula, you can type an exclamation mark between a worksheet name and a cell reference, or click the other worksheet and select its cell while editing. If a sheet name contains spaces, Excel surrounds it with single quotes. Check the completed formula to ensure it points to the intended sheet and cell.

Why does multiplying by a percentage give an unexpected result?
Check how the percentage is entered and displayed. Excel stores 25% as 0.25, so multiplying a value by that percentage returns one quarter of the value, not the full value plus one quarter. If you meant to increase a value by the percentage, the calculation needs to include the original value as well.

Try it: the Formula Explainer: paste any formula and see each function and reference in plain English.

More in Formulas & functions

Sources: Function behaviour and menu paths: Microsoft Support documentation for Excel. Method & sources

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