Can MMULT multiply more than two matrices at once?

No, MMULT takes exactly two arrays. To multiply three matrices (A × B × C), nest the formula: =MMULT(MMULT(A,B),C). This first multiplies A and B, then multiplies that result by C.

What's the difference between MMULT and SUMPRODUCT?

SUMPRODUCT multiplies corresponding elements and sums the result, giving a single value. MMULT performs full matrix multiplication and can return an entire matrix of results. Use MMULT for linear transformations and SUMPRODUCT for simple weighted totals.

Do I need to enter MMULT as an array formula?

In Excel 2019 and earlier, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to enter MMULT as an array formula. In Excel 365 and Google Sheets, simply press Enter—the result automatically spills across cells, so no special entry is needed.

Why does MMULT show a single number instead of an array for some results?

When the result is a 1×1 matrix (one row, one column), spreadsheets display it as a scalar value. It's technically still a matrix, but a single-cell matrix is shown as just the number itself.

MMULT function

MMULT multiplies two matrices and returns the resulting matrix, performing linear algebra calculations for transformation and scaling operations.

=MMULT(array1, array2)

Generate a MMULT formula

Describe what you need. The generator will reach for MMULT where MMULT is the right tool, and tell you when it is not.

Arguments

How MMULT reads its arguments

Argument	Required	Description
array1	Required	Required; the first matrix as a range or array constant. Must be numeric; if columns don't match array2's rows, returns #VALUE!.
array2	Required	Required; the second matrix as a range or array constant. Must be numeric; row count must equal array1's column count.

Returns

A matrix (array) with dimensions equal to the row count of array1 and column count of array2.

Availability

Excel: All · Google Sheets: Supported

Worked examples

1. Calculate total ingredients to fulfill dish orders

Ingredient	Pizza	Pasta	Salad	Orders
Flour	2	1	0	50
Tomato	1	1	1	30
Cheese	0.5	0.3	0.2	20
Oil	0.1	0.1	0.05
Salt	0.02	0.02	0.01

=MMULT({2,1,0;1,1,1;0.5,0.3,0.2;0.1,0.1,0.05;0.02,0.02,0.01},{50;30;20})

Result: [[130], [75], [38], [9], [1.8]]

The recipe matrix (5 ingredients × 3 dishes) multiplies by order quantities (3 dishes × 1) to produce total amounts needed. Each ingredient's total is the sum of (amount per dish × orders): Flour = 2×50 + 1×30 + 0×20 = 130 kg.

2. Calculate total inventory value

Ingredient	Qty on Hand	Unit Cost ($)
Flour	50	2
Tomato	30	1.5
Cheese	25	4
Oil	40	1.2
Salt	10	0.5

=MMULT({50,30,25,40,10},{2;1.5;4;1.2;0.5})

Result: 298

Multiplying the quantity row vector (1 × 5) by the unit cost column vector (5 × 1) yields a single scalar (1 × 1). Total inventory value = 50×2 + 30×1.5 + 25×4 + 40×1.2 + 10×0.5 = $298.

3. Allocate supply costs by vendor

Supplier	Flour	Tomato	Cheese	Oil	Salt
Baker Co	40	0	0	0	0
Fresh Produce	10	30	0	10	0
Dairy Inc	0	0	25	0	10

=MMULT({40,0,0,0,0;10,30,0,10,0;0,0,25,0,10},{2;1.5;4;1.2;0.5})

Result: [[80], [77], [105]]

The supplier matrix (3 suppliers × 5 ingredients) multiplied by unit costs (5 × 1) gives the cost owed to each vendor. Baker Co: $80 (flour only), Fresh Produce: $77 (flour + tomato + oil), Dairy Inc: $105 (cheese + salt).

Common errors

Which MMULT error are you seeing?

Error	Why it happens	How to fix it
#VALUE!	array1's column count doesn't match array2's row count. For example, a 5×3 matrix multiplied by a 4×1 matrix fails because 3 ≠ 4.	Check both matrix dimensions. If array2 has the wrong shape, wrap it with TRANSPOSE() to swap rows and columns.
#VALUE!	One or both arrays contain non-numeric values such as text, dates, or error values. MMULT requires pure numbers in all cells.	Verify all cells are numeric. Use IFERROR() to convert text numbers or VALUE() to coerce text to numbers. Remove any error values from the matrices.
#SPILL!	The result matrix is too large to fit in the available worksheet space. For example, a 10×10 result needs 100 empty cells below the formula.	Clear empty cells in the worksheet to accommodate the result, or move your formula to a location with more available space.

Tips and when to use something else

MMULT requires exact dimension matching: array1 columns must equal array2 rows. Use TRANSPOSE() to swap dimensions if needed.
For simple dot products (like total cost), consider SUMPRODUCT() instead—it's more readable and doesn't require careful matrix layout.
Always ensure data is numeric. Text that looks like numbers (often from imports) will cause #VALUE!. Use TRIM() and VALUE() to clean.
MMULT is best for scaling and linear transformations. For conditional sums or lookups, try SUMIF(), INDEX()-MATCH(), or XLOOKUP() instead.

Related functions

SUMPRODUCTSUMPRODUCT multiplies arrays element-by-element and sums the results, useful for weighted totals and multi-criteria counting.TRANSPOSETRANSPOSE flips a row-or-column array, turning rows into columns and columns into rows, returning a spilled array of the same size swapped.SUMIFSUMIF returns the sum of cells in a range that meet a specified criteria, useful for totaling data filtered by a single condition.INDEXINDEX returns the value or array of values from a specified position within a given range, based on row and optional column numbers.PRODUCTReturns the product of all numeric values supplied as arguments, multiplying them together into a single result.

Frequently asked questions

Can MMULT multiply more than two matrices at once?: No, MMULT takes exactly two arrays. To multiply three matrices (A × B × C), nest the formula: =MMULT(MMULT(A,B),C). This first multiplies A and B, then multiplies that result by C.
What's the difference between MMULT and SUMPRODUCT?: SUMPRODUCT multiplies corresponding elements and sums the result, giving a single value. MMULT performs full matrix multiplication and can return an entire matrix of results. Use MMULT for linear transformations and SUMPRODUCT for simple weighted totals.
Do I need to enter MMULT as an array formula?: In Excel 2019 and earlier, press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to enter MMULT as an array formula. In Excel 365 and Google Sheets, simply press Enter—the result automatically spills across cells, so no special entry is needed.
Why does MMULT show a single number instead of an array for some results?: When the result is a 1×1 matrix (one row, one column), spreadsheets display it as a scalar value. It's technically still a matrix, but a single-cell matrix is shown as just the number itself.

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Reviewed 2026-09-17