---
title: "3.3 Multiplication Operator (*)"
description: "The multiplication operator (`*`) multiplies two operands and returns their product. It is supported for all built-in numeric data types, including integers and floating-point values. When both operands are integers, the result is an integer. If one or both operands…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/cpp-programming/operators-cplusplus/3-3-multiplication-operator/"
updated: "2026-07-28"
category: C++ Programming / Operators
---

# 3.3 Multiplication Operator (*)

The multiplication operator (`*`) multiplies two operands and returns their product. It is supported for all built-in numeric data types, including integers and floating-point values.

When both operands are integers, the result is an integer. If one or both operands are floating-point values, the operands undergo the usual arithmetic conversions, and the result is a floating-point value.

## Source Code

```
#include <iostream>

int main()
{
    int num1 = 12;
    int num2 = 8;

    int product = num1 * num2;

    std::cout << "First Number : " << num1 << '\n';
    std::cout << "Second Number: " << num2 << '\n';
    std::cout << "Product      : " << product << '\n';

    return 0;
}
```

## Output

```
First Number : 12
Second Number: 8
Product      : 96
```

## Explanation

- The multiplication operator (`*`) multiplies the values of two operands.
- `num1 * num2` evaluates to the product of the two integer values.
- The resulting value is assigned to the variable `product`.
- Both operands are of type `int`, so the result is also an integer.
- The value stored in `product` is displayed using `std::cout`.
- The multiplication operator can also be used with floating-point data types.
- `return 0;` terminates the program successfully.