How To Use Pi In Google Sheets

Last Updated on November 1, 2023 by Jake Sheridan

In this tutorial, you will learn how to use pi in Google Sheets.

The number pi is useful for a number of geometric calculations, particularly calculations related to circles. When working in Google Sheets, you could type out the first few decimal places of the number pi each time you want to use it, but there’s an easier way that avoids potential typos and makes your formulas easier to read

Using the PI() Function

The Google Sheets function PI() returns the first 9 decimal places of the number pi. Here’s how to use it in a formula:

Step 1

For this example we’ll calculate the circumference of a circle. The formula for the circumference of a circle is 2 π r, where r is the radius

Step 2

Here is the equation translated into a Google Sheets formula using the PI() function: “=2 * PI() * B2”. Note that the radius is stored in cell B2. Click on a cell and type in this formula and the radius will calculate

Step 3

You can use PI() in any formula in place of a regular number

Inserting the π Symbol

In addition to doing calculations using pi, you may also want to display the pi character, π. Fortunately, the CHAR() function makes it easy to insert a π symbol anywhere in Google Sheets.

Here’s how:

Step 1

Click on the cell you want to insert a π character in and type this formula: “=CHAR(960)”

Step 2

The π character will appear in that cell

Step 3

If you want to include other text along with the character, start by typing an equals sign (=) to type a formula, then type any text before the character in quote marks, followed by an aprasand (&) and the CHAR(960) function. Finish with another ampersand and any text following the π character in quotes. For example: =”This is pi: ” & CHAR(960) & “”

Step 4

Note that certain fonts display the pi character better than others. I am using Georgia in the screenshots

Summary

Example Spreadsheet: Make a copy of the example spreadsheet

In this tutorial, I covered how to use pi in Google Sheets. Want more? Check out all the Google Sheets Tutorials.