Copy the square root symbol. Instantly.
One click to copy √, the exact shortcut for your OS, and a square root equation writer that actually pastes correctly — not just another reference table.
Tap or click the symbol to copy
Type it yourself, no copying required
Every major platform has a built-in shortcut for √. We highlight the one that matches your device automatically.
Windows
Your OSHold Alt and type 251 on the numeric keypad, then release. Requires Num Lock on.
Mac
Your OSPress Option + V in any text field — works system-wide, no keypad needed.
iPhone & Android
Your OSNo native shortcut on phones. Copy √ above, or switch to your symbol keyboard.
See the full typing guide, including Word, Excel, and Google Docs →
Write a square root expression
Type what belongs under the root — a number, a variable, or a small expression — and get a version you can actually paste with the bar intact.
“Copy with bar” pastes a real line over your expression in apps that support stacked Unicode marks (Docs, Word, Notes, most chat apps). If it looks off somewhere, use the plain version instead — it renders identically everywhere.
Every format, one click each
HTML, LaTeX, and alt codes — copy exactly what you need.
Symbol
√
HTML entity
√
LaTeX
\sqrt{x}
Windows alt code
Alt + 251
Built to be better than a reference table
A real equation writer
Most symbol sites only give you √ by itself. We generate an expression you can paste with the bar extending over it — the actual point of a square root.
Every format, upfront
Unicode, HTML, LaTeX, CSS, and alt codes on one page — not buried in paragraphs of SEO text.
No ads, no clutter
A static, ad-free page that loads instantly and gets out of your way.
Shortcuts front and center
Windows, Mac, and mobile instructions are the headline feature, not a footnote.
What is the square root symbol?
The square root symbol — √ — is the mathematical sign used to show that a number, when multiplied by itself, produces the value underneath it. Officially called the "radical sign," it's cataloged in Unicode as U+221A, which is why it shows up as plain, selectable text rather than an image on this page. Whenever someone asks what is the square root symbol, the short answer is: it's a single character, √, that stands in for the phrase "the square root of." Writing √9 is shorthand for "the square root of 9," which equals 3. Because it's a real character and not a font trick, √ can be typed, copied, resized, and pasted just like any letter.
Square root symbol copy and paste
The fastest way to use the square root symbol is to skip typing it altogether. Square root symbol copy and paste is exactly what the button at the top of this page is built for — one click and √ is on your clipboard, ready to paste into an email, a spreadsheet cell, a chat message, or a homework document. Because the symbol is stored as plain square root symbol text rather than an image, it keeps its size and color, matches your font automatically, and never turns into a broken image link. If you need the copy and paste square root symbol flow to also carry the exact format a specific app expects — HTML, LaTeX, or a CSS content value — the copy formats pagehas every version, each one click away.
Square root symbol on keyboard: Windows, Mac, and phone
If you'd rather type it than paste it, every major platform has a built-in method. On Windows, hold Alt and type 251 on the numeric keypad — that's the classic answer to how to type the square root symbol without leaving the keyboard. On a Mac, it's simpler: press Option + V anywhere text can be entered, and √ appears instantly. There's no dedicated key for the square root symbol on your phone's keyboard — neither iOS nor Android ships one — but you can copy √ once and paste it anywhere, or set up a text replacement so typing "sqrt" expands into the symbol automatically, including on an iPhone. For the full walkthrough on how to type a square root symbol on every device, see thehow-to-type page.
Square root symbol in Word, Excel, and on a Mac
Some apps have their own shortcuts worth knowing. For the square root symbol in Word, typing 221A and immediately pressing Alt + X converts the code straight into √ — a trick that works for any Unicode character, not just this one. In Excel or Google Sheets, pasting √ into a cell only displays it, so use the formula =SQRT(A1) if you actually need the calculation performed. And since the square root symbol on Mac is just Option + V, it works the same way inside Word, Pages, Numbers, or any other Mac app without a special insert menu.
Square root symbol text vs. a full equation
A bare √ is fine for most cases, but it doesn't show what's under the root. Plain symbol text falls short of an actual equation — √9 needs the bar to extend over the "9," not just sit in front of it. Our equation writersolves this: type what belongs under the root and it generates a copyable expression with the bar rendered using stacked Unicode characters, so it pastes correctly into Google Docs, Word, iMessage, and most modern apps. For quick, one-off uses, the plain symbol above is all you need — for anything you're showing to someone else, the equation writer is worth the extra step.
Frequently asked questions
How to type the square root symbol?
The method depends on your device. On Windows, hold Alt and type 251 on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Option + V. On a phone, there's no built-in shortcut, so copy √ from this page and paste it, or set up a text replacement instead. See the how-to-type guide for step-by-step instructions on every platform, including Word and Excel.
What is the square root symbol?
The square root symbol (√) is the mathematical sign for a number's square root — the value that, multiplied by itself, produces the number underneath it. It's officially called a radical sign and is stored as Unicode character U+221A, so it copies, pastes, and resizes as normal text rather than an image.
What does the square root symbol look like?
It looks like a check mark with a long tail: a short diagonal tick that rises into a horizontal line, called the vinculum, which extends over the number or expression being rooted. In √9, for example, the bar sits directly above the 9 to show it's included under the root.
How to insert the square root symbol in Word?
Type 221A, then immediately press Alt + X — Word converts the Unicode code point into √. Alternatively, use Insert → Symbol → More Symbols and search “square root,” or just copy √ from this page and paste it straight into your document.
How to do the square root symbol on Mac?
Press Option + V in any text field — it works system-wide, no menus required. If it doesn't appear, your keyboard input source may not be U.S. English; check System Settings → Keyboard, or open the Character Viewer with Control + Command + Space and search “square root.”
How to get the square root symbol?
The quickest way is to copy it: tap the √ button at the top of this page and paste it wherever you need it. If you'd rather type it yourself, use Alt + 251 on Windows or Option + V on a Mac — no downloads or special fonts required.
How to type the square root symbol on a keyboard?
On a Windows keyboard, hold Alt and type 251 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock must be on). On a Mac keyboard, press Option + V. Neither iPhone nor Android has a dedicated key for it, so on those you'll copy and paste the symbol instead.
What is the √?
√ is the square root symbol — a mathematical operator meaning “the square root of.” Written before a number, like √16, it asks what value multiplied by itself equals that number (in this case, 4).