How to type √ on Windows
The fastest method on a full-size keyboard is the Alt code Alt+251.
- Make sure Num Lock is on.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 251 on the numeric keypad (the number row will not work).
- Release Alt. The square root symbol √ appears.
No numeric keypad?
Press Win+. to open the emoji panel, choose the Symbols tab (Ω) and search for "square root". Or open Character Map from the Start menu, find √, click Select, then Copy.
How to type √ on a Mac
Press Option+V on the US keyboard layout. Hold the modifier keys and tap the final key once.
For any symbol, the Character Viewer works: press Control+⌘+Space, type "square root" in the search box and double-click the result. It will be remembered under Frequently Used.
How to type √ on iPhone and iPad
The iOS keyboard does not include √, so the reliable way is to copy it from this page, then press and hold in any text field and tap Paste.
If you use it often, create a shortcut: open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement, paste √ in the Phrase field and type a short code such as ;square in the Shortcut field. Typing that code will then insert √ anywhere.
How to type √ on Android
Copy the symbol from this page, then long-press in a text field and choose Paste. Gboard also keeps a clipboard history: tap the clipboard icon on the toolbar to paste it again later.
For a permanent shortcut, open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, add √ as the word and a short code as the shortcut.
How to type √ in Microsoft Word
- Type the Unicode hex code 221A where you want the symbol.
- Press Alt+X. Word converts the code into √.
This works on Windows in Word, Outlook and OneNote and needs no numeric keypad. You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, set the font to a Unicode font and type 221A in the Character code box. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(8730) returns the symbol.
How to type √ in Google Docs
Open Insert → Special characters, then either search for "square root" or draw the symbol in the sketch box. Click the result to insert it. In Google Sheets, use =CHAR(8730).
√ in HTML, CSS and code
| Format | Code |
|---|---|
| HTML entity | √ |
| HTML decimal | √ |
| HTML hex | √ |
CSS content | "\221A" |
| JavaScript | "\u221A" |
| Python | "\u221A" |
| LaTeX | \sqrt{} |
| URL encoded | %E2%88%9A |
Because √ is a standard Unicode character (U+221A), you can also paste it directly into any UTF-8 file. The escaped forms above are only needed when the file encoding is uncertain or the symbol must be entered on a keyboard without it.
Where the square root symbol is used
It appears in math textbooks, calculators, and scientific formulas, such as √25 = 5 or in the quadratic formula. Engineers and students use it when writing equations by hand or in software like Word or LaTeX. It's sometimes confused with the check mark (✓), though the two have unrelated meanings.
Frequently asked questions
What does the square root symbol mean? +
It shows the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals the value under the symbol. For example, √9 means the number that equals 9 when squared, which is 3.
What is the difference between √ and ∛? +
√ is the square root symbol, used for finding a number's square root. ∛ is the cube root symbol, used for finding a number's cube root.
What is the Alt code for the square root symbol? +
The Alt code for √ is Alt+251. Hold Alt, type 251 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
How do I type √ on a Mac? +
Press Option+V on a Mac with the US keyboard layout. You can also open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for "square root".
How do I type the square root symbol on iPhone or Android? +
Phone keyboards do not include √ by default. Copy it from this page and paste it, or add it as a text replacement shortcut in Settings so you can type it with a short abbreviation.
What is the HTML code for √? +
Use √ in HTML. The numeric form √ works too. In CSS use content: "\221A" and in JavaScript use "\u221A".