How to find the factors of 32
Test every whole number from 1 up to the square root of 32 (√32 ≈ 5.657). Each number that divides evenly gives you two factors at once: the divisor and the quotient.
- 32 ÷ 1 = 32 — so 1 and 32 are factors
- 32 ÷ 2 = 16 — so 2 and 16 are factors
- 32 ÷ 3 = 10.667 — not a whole number
- 32 ÷ 4 = 8 — so 4 and 8 are factors
- 32 ÷ 5 = 6.4 — not a whole number
Collecting both numbers from every successful division gives the complete list: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32.
Prime factorization of 32
Divide by the smallest prime that fits, and keep going until the quotient is 1:
The primes you divided by give 32 = 2⁵. From the exponents you can also count the factors without listing them: (5 + 1) = 6.
Properties of 32
- 32 is a composite number.
- The sum of all its factors is 63; the sum of its proper factors (excluding 32) is 31, which makes it a deficient number (its proper factors add up to less than itself).
- 32 is not a perfect square, so its factors pair up evenly.
- Multiples of 32 include 64, 96, 128, 160 and so on.
Factors vs. multiples
Factors of 32 are the numbers that divide into it; multiples of 32 are the numbers it divides into. Every number has a limited set of factors but infinitely many multiples. To work with any other number, use the factors calculator, or find shared factors with the GCF calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What are the factors of 32?
The factors of 32 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32. Each of these divides 32 with no remainder.
How many factors does 32 have?
32 has 6 positive factors, which form 3 factor pairs. Counting negative factors as well doubles that to 12.
What is the prime factorization of 32?
32 = 2⁵. Its distinct prime factors are 2.
Is 32 a prime number?
No. 32 is composite because it has 6 factors, more than the two a prime number has.