How to type square meters (m²) on the keyboard from any device

When writing technical texts, instructions, academic documents, or even in everyday conversations, we often need to write the unit of square meters (m²) . Although it may seem complicated, there are different methods to do so from computers, mobile phones, and text editors, without always having to resort to the classic copy and paste.

The symbol ², used as a superscript for the number two , doesn't appear directly on all physical or virtual keyboards, but there are several ways to access it. Below, we explain, step by step and depending on your device, how you can type it quickly and easily.

How to Enter Square Meters (m²) in Windows

On computers with the Windows operating system , the most common option to insert the ² symbol is by using a shortcut with the Alt key, using the numeric keypad (not the numbers on the top row of the alphanumeric keyboard).

• Press and hold the Alt key.
• While holding it down, type 0178 on the numeric keypad.
• When you release Alt, the ² symbol will automatically appear.

In this way, you only need to write an 'm' followed by the superscript ² to get the result m² . Furthermore, if you wish to obtain other useful superscripts when writing mathematical or scientific formulas, you can use:

• Alt + 0179 for superscript 3 (³)
• Alt + 0185 for superscript 1 (¹)

Another option is to use the Windows Character Map . Just type "Character Map" in the Start menu search box, locate the ² symbol, double-click to copy it, and paste it where you need it.

How to type m² on Mac (macOS)

On Apple computers, the situation is slightly different. While some suggest using the Option + 00B2 combination , it doesn't always work, so there are more reliable methods.

One of them is the following procedure using the emoji and symbol selector :

1. Place the cursor where you want to insert the symbol.
2. Press simultaneously controller + Cmd + Spacebar.
3. A window will open. Type "superscript" into the search box.
4. Choose the number ², ³ or other and click to insert it into your text.

Additionally, users of Pages (Apple's word processor) can enable superscript mode from the top menu: Format → Font → Baseline → Superscript . They can also use the shortcut Control + Cmd + + to apply the formatting.

How to put the ² symbol in Linux

If you use Linux, you can insert superscripts using different methods. One of the simplest on some distributions is to directly type ^2 (a caret followed by the number 2) and then press the space bar. On systems with support for automatic replacement, this may become ².

In applications like LibreOffice, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + P to apply a superscript to a number after typing it. That is, type "2", select it, and then use this key combination to raise it to the superscript.

How to add m² from your mobile (Android and iOS)

Using a mobile phone's virtual keyboard might seem more limited, but there are several ways to type m² on screen. On many keyboards, especially Gboard on Android, you can access the superscript ² directly.

Android

Most Android keyboards allow you to access superscripts by pressing and holding the corresponding number. In the case of the number 2:

1. Open the keyboard and select the '123' option or the number row if available.
2. Press and hold the number 2 key.
3. A pop-up menu will appear with the ² symbol. Select it.

This method also works for superscripts like ¹ and ³ on other keys. Some keyboards even unlock fractions or the degree symbol with a long press.

iOS (iPhone and iPad)

The double-headed (²) symbol does not exist on the standard keyboard of Apple devices. However, there are several workarounds:

• Voice Dictation: Say "square meters" and the system will convert it to text. It won't insert squares, but it can be a useful workaround.
• Alternative keyboard: Install Gboard to access superscript directly.
• Text substitutions: Create a custom shortcut that replaces for example ^2 with ² automatically.

To set up text replacement, follow these steps:

1. Sign in Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement.
2. Tap the + symbol to add a new phrase.
3. In “Phrase” write ² (you can copy it from here) and in “Quick Function” put ^2.

Every time you type ^2, iOS will automatically convert it to ².

Using superscript in Word, Google Docs, and other editors

In most word processors, you can apply superscript formatting to any number. This allows you to transform text like “m2” into “m²” simply by selecting the number and using the corresponding option. For more details, you can consult our guide on how to use the degree function in Excel.

• Word: Select the number and press Ctrl+Shift++. Or, go to the 'Home' tab and click the superscript (X²) button.
• Google Documents: use the menu Format → Text → Superscript, or the shortcut Ctrl +.

Copy and paste the ² symbol from Unicode

Another universal option is to copy the symbol from specialized websites like unicode-table.com , where you can find the superscript 2 (Unicode code U+00B2) . If you want to learn more about how to type square meters on your keyboard, you can check out our tips on how to type squares on Android.

On that website, just search for the ² symbol and click the "Copy" button. You can then paste it as many times as you like into any document, email, or application. You can also save a note with the most frequently used codes, for example:

⁰ ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹

This is useful on mobile devices that do not allow you to modify the keyboard or if you prefer not to install additional applications.

After exploring all the possible ways to type square meters on different systems, it's clear that there are multiple methods adapted to each type of device . Using key combinations, built-in tools like the character map, custom keyboards, and creating text shortcuts are effective options for typing m² quickly and easily. Saving useful symbols or knowing where to find them easily can make all the difference when working with technical or scientific texts.

Related articles:

Degrees Function In Excel. What It Is And How To Use It

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.

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