How Many Factors Does 36 Have?
36 has 9 factors. You can count them without listing them, by using the prime factorization of 36.
Step 1: Prime Factorization
36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3, written 2² × 3² with exponents.
Step 2: Add 1 to Each Exponent
- 2 has exponent 2, so it gives 2 + 1 = 3 choices
- 3 has exponent 2, so it gives 2 + 1 = 3 choices
Step 3: Multiply
(2 + 1) × (2 + 1) = 3 × 3 = 9
The Factors of 36
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 36
That is 9 numbers, which matches the count.
See them paired up on the factors of 36 page.
Is 36 a perfect square?
Yes. Every exponent is even, so 36 is a perfect square, and perfect squares always have an odd number of factors. Count the factors of another number in the Number of Factors Calculator.