How to Use the SIN Function in Excel – 6 Examples

This is an overview.

SIN Function in Excel

• Function Objective:

The SIN function is used to determine the sine of angles in Excel.

• Syntax:

=SIN(number)

• Arguments Explanation:

• Return Parameter:

Sine value of the given angles.

What is the Sine in Trigonometry?

The Sine ratio in trigonometry is a ratio between the hypotenuse and the opposite of a triangle.

sin(a)=Hypotenuse/Opposite

Example 1 – Using the SIN Function for Angles in Radians

Steps:

• Select C5 to store the result.
• Enter the formula:
  =SIN(B6)
  
• Press ENTER.
• Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

This is the output.

The sine of the given angles is displayed in long fraction values.

To trim the long numbers, use the ROUND function.

Steps:

• Select C5 to store the result.
• Enter the formula:

• Press ENTER.
• Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

This is the output.

Example 2 – Applying the SIN Function for Angles in Degrees

Steps:

• Select C5 to store the result.
• Enter the following formula in C5:
  =SIN(RADIANS(B5))
  
• Press ENTER.
• Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

This is the output.

Example 3 – Combining the SIN and the PI Functions for Angles in Degrees

Steps:

• Select C5 to store the result.
• Enter the following formula in C5:

• Press ENTER.
• Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

This is the output.

The sine of the given angles is displayed in long fraction values.

To trim the long numbers, use the ROUND function.

Steps:

• Select C5 to store the result.
• Enter the formula:

• Press ENTER.
• Drag down the Fill Handle to see the result in the rest of the cells.

This is the output.

Example 4 – Calculating the Height of a Building Using the Excel SIN Function

The height of a building produced a shadow of 50m. The imaginary connection line between the height of the building and the shadow produced an angle of 0.5 rad. To calculate the height of the building:

 Steps:

• Select cell C7 to store the result.
• Enter the formula:
  =C5*SIN(0.5)
  
  within the cell.
• Press ENTER.

The height of the building is 23.97m.

Example 5 – Solving an Equation with the SIN Function in Excel

• Enter all the formulas as depicted below:

This is the output.

Example 6 – Applying the SIN Function in Excel VBA Macros 

• Press ALT + F11 to open the VBA editor.
• Go to Insert ▶ Module.
• Copy the following code:

Sub CalSin()

Dim sin_val1 As Double

Dim sin_val2 As Double

Dim sin_val3 As Double

sin_val1 = Sin(90)

Cells(5, 3).Value = sin_val1

sin_val2 = Sin(45)

Cells(6, 3).Value = sin_val2

sin_val3 = Sin(0)

Cells(7, 3).Value = sin_val3

End Sub

• Save the code.
• Go back to your Excel worksheet.
• Press ALT + F8 to open the Macro.
• Run the code.

This is the output.

Download Practice Workbook

Download the Excel file and practice.

<< Go Back to Excel Functions | Learn Excel