√

How to Type a Square Root Symbol

The radical sign √ shows a square root. Typing the symbol is easy; showing what's under the root needs either parentheses in plain text or an equation editor.

Last reviewed on October 3, 2026.

Quick Reference

Mac

Press Option + V.

Option + V

Windows

Hold Alt and type 251 on the numeric keypad (no leading zero — this is an OEM code page 437 code).

Alt + 251

Microsoft Word

Type 221A then Alt + X. For a real radical with a bar over the contents, insert an equation (Alt + =), type \sqrt and press Space.

221A, Alt + X

Linux

Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 221a, then press Enter.

Ctrl + Shift + U, 221a, Enter

HTML

Use √ or √.

√ or √

Square, Cube and Fourth Roots

SymbolNameUnicodeHTML
√Square rootU+221A√ / √
∛Cube rootU+221B∛
∜Fourth rootU+221C∜

For other roots in plain text, a superscript index works: ⁵√32. In Word or Google Docs equations, \sqrt(3&x) produces a cube root.

Writing Roots in Plain Text

The √ character is only the radical sign — it has no bar (vinculum) that stretches over the expression. In plain text, put the expression in parentheses so it is unambiguous:

  • √(x + 1) — the root of the whole sum
  • √x + 1 — the root of x, then add 1
  • x^(1/2) — an alternative that every calculator and programming language understands

Office, Spreadsheets & Code

  • Excel / Google Sheets: =SQRT(16) returns 4. =POWER(27, 1/3) or =27^(1/3) gives a cube root. =UNICHAR(8730) returns the √ character for labels.
  • Google Docs: Insert → Equation, then type \sqrt and a space.
  • LaTeX: \sqrt{x} and \sqrt[3]{x}.
  • Python: math.sqrt(x) or x ** 0.5; JavaScript: Math.sqrt(x) and Math.cbrt(x).
  • Android (Gboard): √ is on the second symbols page (?123 → =\<). On iPhone, add a Text Replacement such as ;sqrt → √.

Technical Details

Unicode: U+221A

HTML Entity: &radic;

HTML Decimal: &#8730;

Alt Code (Windows): Alt + 251

Unicode block: Mathematical Operators

Name: SQUARE ROOT

Related Symbols

² Squared π Pi × Multiply View All →