Factor Calculator

Factors of 12

The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. In total, 12 has 6 factors. Its prime factorization is 2² × 3, and the sum of all its factors is 28.

All factors of 12

Here are all 6 factors of 12, listed from smallest to largest.

1234612

Factor pairs of 12

These 3 pairs of whole numbers each multiply to give 12.

1 × 12 = 12
2 × 6 = 12
3 × 4 = 12

Prime factorization of 12

Dividing 12 by the smallest prime at each step gives its prime factorization:

12 ÷ 2 = 6
6 ÷ 2 = 3
3 ÷ 3 = 1
Result: 12 = 2 × 2 × 3 = 2² × 3

The distinct prime factors of 12 are 2, 3. To factorize any other number, use the prime factorization calculator.

Factor tree of 12

A factor tree shows the same prime factorization visually. Each composite branch splits until every endpoint is a prime number.

Factor tree of 12122623
Prime factors are shown in solid indigo. Composite numbers split into their smallest prime and the quotient.

Properties of 12

Number of factors6
Sum of factors28
Sum of proper factors16
Prime factorization2² × 3
Prime or composite?Composite
Even or odd?Even
Perfect square?No
Perfect cube?No
ClassificationAbundant

What makes 12 interesting

  • 12 is a composite number, meaning it has more than two factors. It can be written as a product of smaller whole numbers in 3 different ways.
  • 12 is an abundant number: its proper factors sum to 16, which is 4 more than 12 itself.
  • 12 is a highly composite number — it has more factors (6) than any smaller positive integer. Numbers like this are useful in measurement systems because they divide evenly so many ways.

How to find the factors of 12 yourself

Divide 12 by each whole number starting from 1. Whenever the division leaves no remainder, both the divisor and the quotient are factors. You only need to test up to √12 ≈ 3.46, because every factor above that pairs with one below it.

12 ÷ 1 = 12 ✓
12 ÷ 2 = 6 ✓
12 ÷ 3 = 4 ✓

Reading both columns gives every factor: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. The factor calculator does this automatically for any number.

Numbers mathematically connected to 12.

Frequently asked questions about 12

What are the factors of 12?

The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. That is 6 factors in total, counting both 1 and 12.

Is 12 a prime number?

No, 12 is not prime — it is a composite number with 6 factors. A prime number has exactly two factors, but 12 is also divisible by 2.

What is the prime factorization of 12?

The prime factorization of 12 is 2² × 3. Written out in full: 2 × 2 × 3 = 12. Its distinct prime factors are 2, 3.

What two numbers multiply to give 12?

There are 3 pairs of whole numbers that multiply to 12: 1 × 12, 2 × 6, 3 × 4.

What is the sum of the factors of 12?

Adding all the factors of 12 together gives 28. Excluding 12 itself, the proper factors sum to 16.

Is 12 a perfect square?

No, 12 is not a perfect square. There is no whole number that multiplies by itself to give 12. The nearest perfect squares are 9 and 16.

What is the largest factor of 12 other than itself?

The largest factor of 12 apart from 12 itself is 6, since 12 ÷ 6 = 2.

How many factors does 12 have?

12 has 6 factors: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12. You can verify this from the prime factorization 2² × 3: add 1 to each exponent and multiply, giving 3 × 2 = 6.

Explore more

Try another number in the factor calculator, break 12 down further with the prime factorization calculator, or compare 12 with another number using the GCF calculator and LCM calculator. For divisor counts and sums, see the divisor calculator.