Square root symbol
Square Root Symbol
Copy √, ∛, ∜, or build a root expression. Copy √, ∛, or ∜, or enter what belongs under the radical to make a paste-ready root expression in plain text, LaTeX, and HTML.
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√(x + 1) \sqrt{x + 1} √(x + 1) Plain text uses parentheses because Unicode cannot extend the radical bar over a full expression. Use LaTeX or an equation editor when typeset math matters.
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How to type the square root symbol
The fastest method on any device is to copy √ above. The character is Unicode U+221A, officially named SQUARE ROOT. Cube root is U+221B, and fourth root is U+221C.
- Windows in Microsoft Word: type 221A, then press Alt + X. The commonly quoted Alt + 251 method depends on a numeric keypad and legacy code-page behavior, so it is not equally reliable in every app.
- Mac with a U.S. keyboard layout: press Option + V. For other layouts, open Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search for square root.
- Linux in applications that support Unicode input: press Control + Shift + U, type 221a, then press Enter.
- Google Docs: choose Insert > Equation, then use the Math operators menu when you need a typeset radical with a bar over the expression.
- iPhone or Android: copy and paste √, or save it as a text-replacement shortcut if you use it often. Mobile keyboards do not all expose the character in the same place.
Plain-text √ is not a complete typeset radical
Unicode provides the standalone √ character, but plain text cannot stretch its top bar over everything that follows. This page writes √(x + 1) so the grouped expression stays unambiguous when pasted into chat, email, or a simple text field.
Use the LaTeX output or an equation editor for publication-quality math. A renderer can place a vinculum over the full radicand, while the plain-text result remains portable and editable.
Square, cube, fourth, and nth-root formats
Square root uses √ and LaTeX \sqrt{x}. Cube and fourth roots have dedicated Unicode characters ∛ and ∜; LaTeX writes them as \sqrt[3]{x} and \sqrt[4]{x}. Other indices use an nth-root form such as ⁵√(x) in plain text or \sqrt[5]{x} in LaTeX.
The HTML output uses √ for √ and hexadecimal numeric references for ∛ or ∜. It escapes angle brackets and ampersands from your input so the copied source does not accidentally become markup.
What the radical sign means
In ordinary real-number notation, √x denotes the principal, non-negative square root. For example, √25 is 5. The equation x² = 25 has two solutions, x = 5 and x = −5, which can be written x = ±5; the √ symbol alone does not mean plus or minus.
A cube root asks for a value that becomes the radicand when multiplied by itself three times. An nth root uses an index to state how many repeated factors are involved.
Sources and standards
- Unicode Mathematical Operators chart
- Unicode Technical Note #28 - Plain Text Math
- NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Functions - Logarithm, Exponential, Powers
- Microsoft Support - Insert ASCII or Unicode symbols
- Apple User Guide - Use emoji and symbols on Mac
- Google Docs Editors Help - Use equations
- WHATWG - Named character references
Frequently asked questions
What is the square root symbol I can copy?
Copy this character: √. It is the Unicode SQUARE ROOT character U+221A and is also called the radical sign or sqrt symbol.
How do I type the square root symbol on a keyboard?
In Word on Windows, type 221A and press Alt + X. On a Mac using the U.S. keyboard layout, press Option + V. On phones, copy √ or create a text-replacement shortcut.
Does the square root symbol mean plus or minus?
No. √x means the principal root, which is non-negative for a non-negative real x. Use ± separately when an equation has both positive and negative solutions.
How do I write a cube root or nth root in plain text?
Use ∛(x) for a cube root, ∜(x) for a fourth root, or a superscript index such as ⁵√(x) for a fifth root. Parentheses make the radicand clear when plain text cannot draw an extended bar.
Does pasting √ into Excel or Google Sheets calculate a square root?
No. A pasted √ is only displayed text. Use a spreadsheet formula such as =SQRT(A1) when you want the spreadsheet to calculate a value.