Square Root Symbol (√): How to Type It on Any Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Google Docs + Phone)

The square root symbol looks like this: √.

It’s used in maths to show a square root, like:

• √9 = 3
• √16 = 4

In this guide, you’ll learn every reliable way to type the square root symbol on Windows, Mac, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, and mobile — plus the Unicode and HTML codes.

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Quick copy (fastest way)

Paste:

• Windows: Ctrl + V
• Mac: Command + V
• Phone: tap and hold → Paste

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What does the square root symbol mean? (Beginner explanation)

The square root symbol √ asks a simple question:

“What number, multiplied by itself, gives this number?”

Examples:

• √25 means: “What number times itself equals 25?” → 5
• √49 → 7
• √2 is not a whole number, so it becomes a decimal: 1.414…

You’ll also sometimes see a small number like ³√8 — that’s a cube root (root of 3). But in this post, we’re focusing on the square root symbol √.

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Square root symbol vs check mark (√ vs ✓) — don’t mix them up

A common beginner mistake is copying the wrong symbol because they look similar:

• √ = square root symbol (math)
• ✓ = check mark (tick)

They are not the same, and they don’t mean the same thing.

Quick copy:

• Square root: √
• Check mark: ✓

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Method 1: Type √ on Windows (the easiest methods)

Windows has a few ways to type √. Some work better than others depending on whether you have a full keyboard or a laptop.

Option A: Windows symbol panel (quick and beginner-friendly)

This is easy because you can pick symbols from a menu.

1. Click where you want the symbol.
2. Press Windows key + . (Win + period)
3. Go to the Symbols section (if needed).
4. Find √ and click it.

If you don’t see √ there, use Character Map (Method 6) or copy/paste.

Option B: Alt code (works on many Windows PCs)

Alt codes let you hold Alt and type a number on the numeric keypad to insert a symbol.

Commonly used for √:

• Alt + 251 (on the numeric keypad)

Steps:

1. Turn Num Lock ON.
2. Hold Alt.
3. Type 251 on the numeric keypad.
4. Release Alt → √

Important: This depends on the app and your keyboard. If it doesn’t work, use Word Alt+X (Method 3) or Insert Symbol (Method 4).

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Method 2: Type √ on Mac (Character Viewer method)

On Mac, the most reliable way to insert symbols like √ is Character Viewer. It lets you search and insert symbols by name.

1. Click where you want to insert √.
2. Press Control + Command + Space
3. Search for square root
4. Click √ to insert it.

This works in most apps: Pages, Word for Mac, Notes, browsers, etc.

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Method 3: Type √ in Microsoft Word using “Alt + X” (best Word method)

This is one of the best ways to type √ in Word because it’s fast and doesn’t need a numeric keypad.

Word can convert a Unicode code into a symbol.

Unicode for √ is:

221A

Steps:

1. In Word, type 221A
2. Press Alt + X
3. It converts into √

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Method 4: Insert √ in Word (menu method)

If you prefer menus instead of shortcuts:

1. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
2. Find √
3. Click Insert

Tip: Once you insert it, Word usually keeps it in “recent symbols.”

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Method 5: Type √ in Excel (best ways)

In Excel, most people use √ in formulas, notes, or headings. The easiest method is copy/paste, but you can also insert it.

Option A: Copy and paste

Copy √ from this page and paste into a cell.

Option B: Insert Symbol

1. Click the cell
2. Go to Insert → Symbol
3. Find √
4. Click Insert

Bonus: Square root in Excel formulas (not the symbol)

If you actually want to calculate a square root, Excel uses:

• =SQRT(number)
  Example: =SQRT(25) gives 5

This is different from typing the √ symbol.

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Method 6: Windows Character Map (reliable for any app)

Character Map is a built-in Windows tool where you can copy symbols.

1. Click Start and search Character Map
2. Open it
3. Find √
4. Click Select → Copy
5. Paste it anywhere

Tip: If you can’t find it, try changing the font to something like Segoe UI Symbol or Arial.

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Method 7: Google Docs (Insert → Special characters)

Google Docs has a tool that lets you search symbols by name.

1. Click where you want the symbol.
2. Go to Insert → Special characters
3. Search square root
4. Click √

You can also draw the symbol in the “draw” box if you don’t see it.

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Method 8: iPhone and Android

Most phone keyboards don’t have √ on the main layout, so copy/paste is the easiest.

Option A: Copy and paste (fastest)

Copy: √
Paste into any app.

Option B: Create a keyboard shortcut

If you type √ a lot:

• iPhone: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
  • Shortcut: sqrt → Phrase: √
• Android: Add a shortcut in your keyboard’s dictionary
  • Shortcut: sqrt → √

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Unicode + HTML codes for √ (for websites and coding)

If you’re adding √ to a website or HTML:

• Symbol: √
• Unicode: U+221A
• HTML decimal: √
• HTML hex: √
• HTML entity name: √

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Common problems (quick fixes)

“Alt code didn’t work on my laptop”

That usually happens because:

• you don’t have a numeric keypad
• Num Lock is off
• the app doesn’t support that Alt code

Fix: Use Word Alt+X (221A), Character Map, or copy/paste.

“I typed √ but it looks like a tick/check mark”

You might have inserted ✓ instead. They are different symbols.

• Square root: √
• Check mark: ✓

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Best method summary (easy to remember)

• Windows: Win + . → Symbols, or copy/paste √
• Mac: Ctrl + Cmd + Space → search “square root”
• Word: 221A + Alt + X
• Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search “square root”
• Phone: copy/paste √ (or create text replacement)

Related Math Symbols

• Plus or Minus Symbol (±)
• Multiplication Sign (×)
• Division Symbol (÷)
• Pi Symbol (π)
• Infinity Symbol (∞)
• Not Equal To Symbol (≠)
• Less Than or Equal To Symbol (≤)
• Greater Than or Equal To Symbol (≥)
• Approximately Equal To Symbol (≈)
• Degree Symbol (°)
• Summation Symbol (∑)