How to type the squared symbol in Word
To type the squared symbol ² in Word, hold Alt and type 0178 on the numeric keypad, or type 00B2 and press Alt + X. That inserts the real ² character. The other route, Ctrl + Shift + =, formats an ordinary 2 as superscript.
Quick answer
Alt + 0178, or 00B2 then Alt + X, gives the character ². Ctrl + Shift + = raises any digit as formatting.
Step by step
Type the unit or variable
Type m, cm or x, with no space after it.
Insert the squared sign
Hold Alt and type 0178 on the keypad, or type 00B2 and press Alt + X.
Check the result
You should see m² with the small 2 built in. It stays small even if you paste the text into a plain-text email or a web form.
Character or formatting: which should you use?
Word gives you two different things that look almost the same. The character ² (U+00B2, superscript two) is a symbol in its own right. It survives copy and paste into any app, it is searchable, and screen readers usually read “m²” as “m squared”.
Superscript formatting is a normal 2 drawn smaller and higher. Select a digit and press Ctrl + Shift + = (or click x² on the Home tab). It works for any character, including exponents that have no ready-made symbol, such as 10⁻⁶ or 2¹⁰⁰. The catch is that the formatting disappears in plain text: m² pasted into a chat becomes “m2”.
A good rule: use the ² and ³ characters for units (m², cm³) and simple squares, and superscript formatting for longer exponents in reports that stay in Word or PDF.
Cubed and other powers
Alt + 0179 gives ³, and Alt + 0185 gives ¹. There are no alt codes for ⁴ to ⁹, but they exist as Unicode characters: type 2074 then Alt + X for ⁴, up to 2079 for ⁹. The superscript and subscript collection lists them all, ready to copy.
Equations
For real mathematics, press Alt + = to open an equation and type x^2 followed by a space; Word builds a proper exponent. Equations keep their layout when you change fonts, which neither of the methods above guarantees.
See also the squared symbol ² reference, the guide to typing superscript anywhere, and the Excel version of this page, squared symbol in Excel.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut for squared in Word?
Alt + 0178 inserts ². Ctrl + Shift + = toggles superscript formatting for any selected characters.
Why does m² become m2 when I paste it?
You used superscript formatting, which plain text cannot carry. Replace the 2 with the ² character (Alt + 0178) so it pastes correctly.
How do I type ² on a Mac in Word?
Macs have no Option shortcut for ². Use Command + Shift + = for superscript formatting, or Insert → Advanced Symbol and search for “superscript two”.