How to type the square root symbol
Shortcuts for every platform, plus a few tricks most guides leave out.
Square root symbol on Windows keyboard
Alt code (works almost everywhere)
Your OSHold Alt, type 2-5-1 on the numeric keypad (not the top number row), then release Alt. Num Lock must be on.
No numeric keypad? Use the Unicode method instead
In Word, Outlook, and some other Office apps: type 221A, then immediately press Alt + X. The code converts into √.
Square root symbol on Mac
Option + V
Your OSWorks in any text field, system-wide. No keypad needed.
Shortcut not working?
Your keyboard input source may not be U.S. English. Open the Character Viewer withControl + Command + Space, then search “square root” and double-click the result.
Square root symbol on iPhone & Android (phone keyboard)
Neither iOS nor Android has a built-in key combo for the square root symbol on their phone keyboard — but you can copy it once and paste it anywhere, or set up a permanent shortcut so your keyboard types it for you.
iPhone / iPad
- Copy √ from this page.
- Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement → tap +.
- Paste √ as the phrase, set a shortcut like
sqrt. - Typing “sqrt” anywhere now auto-suggests √.
Android (Gboard)
- Copy √ from this page.
- Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary → add a word.
- Paste √ as the word, set a shortcut like
sqrt. - Typing “sqrt” now suggests √ above the keyboard.
Square root symbol in Word, Excel & Google Docs
Microsoft Word
Type 221A then press Alt + X immediately after — Word converts the Unicode code point into √ automatically. Works for any Unicode character.
Excel & Google Sheets
Paste √ directly into a cell for display, or use the formula =SQRT(A1) to actually compute a square root value.
Google Docs / Slides
Insert → Special characters → search “square root”, or just paste the symbol from this page — both land the same character.