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Squared Symbol (Superscript Two) (²)

The squared symbol (²) is a small raised 2 meaning 'times itself' — 5² = 25 — and it also appears in areas like m².

Superscript Two · U+00B2 · Math Symbols

Click the symbol or the button to copy it, then paste it anywhere — documents, messages, bios and code.

Squared Symbol (Superscript Two) codes

Code	Value
Unicode code point	`U+00B2`
Unicode name	`Superscript Two`
HTML named entity	`²`
HTML decimal	`²`
HTML hex	`²`
CSS content code	`\B2`
JavaScript / JSON	`\u00B2`
Windows Alt code	`Alt+0178`
LaTeX	`^{2}`

Squared Symbol (Superscript Two) variants (5)

5 related glyphs — click any tile to copy it. Tiles with a page open that symbol's own page.

³Superscript Three¹Superscript One⁰Superscript Zero⁴Superscript Four⁵Superscript Five

Meaning & usage

The superscript two does double duty. In maths it squares a number (7² = 49) and in measurements it marks square units: a 60 m² apartment, a 10 cm² chip. Typing it trips people up because the key doesn't exist — the trick is Alt+0178 on Windows, Option+...

no Mac key, or copying it from here. For 'x squared' in homework, write x² by copying the ² and placing it right after any letter or number.

Examples in use

Area: 25 m²
9² = 81
Type x² by pasting ² after the x

How to type the squared symbol (superscript two)

Windows

Hold the Alt key and type 0178 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt. The code is Alt+0178. It also works in Word with the same keys.

Mac

There is no Option-key shortcut for ² on a Mac. Open the Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space, search for "Squared Symbol (Superscript Two)", and double-click to insert — or copy it from this page.

iPhone & Android

Most phone keyboards have no built-in key for ². Open this page on your phone, tap Copy, then paste it into your message or bio. (On Android, Gboard's emoji search finds some symbols by name.)

Linux

Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 00b2 and press Enter (works in most GTK apps and terminals with IBus). Or copy it from this page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I type ² on a keyboard?

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0178 on the numeric keypad. On phones, long-press the 2 key on many keyboards. Or copy ² from this page.

How is ² different from 2?

The ² is a superscript — smaller and raised. In maths it means 'to the power of 2', so 5² is 25, while 52 is just fifty-two.

Can I make other superscript numbers?

Yes: ⁰ ¹ ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹ all exist as Unicode characters — see the variants on this page — though fonts vary in support.

Why does ² sometimes show as a box or question mark?

The box (called tofu) means the device or font viewing it has no drawing for U+00B2 (Superscript Two). The character itself is fine — try a different font or a newer device, or use one of the variants on this page.

Is the Squared Symbol (Superscript Two) free to use?

Yes. ² is a standard Unicode text character published in the Unicode Character Database. You may use it in personal and commercial documents, designs and products without permission or payment.