How to type the nth root symbol
Short answer: past the 4th root, there's no dedicated keyboard shortcut on any platform, because it isn't a single character. Here's what to use instead.
Or generate your exact symbol now →Nth root symbol on Windows keyboard
Windows' numeric-keypad Alt-codes and the Unicode-input trick (type a hex code, press Alt + X) both work only for single characters — and a root with an arbitrary index isn't one, past the 4th root. Here's what's actually available.
Unicode input — 4th root only (Word, Outlook)
Your OSType 221C, then immediately press Alt + X. The code converts into ∜, the 4th root. This is the only index with its own code point — nothing higher works this way.
Need a 5th root or higher?
Set the index in the equation writerand copy the result — it's built from the correct superscript digit plus the radical, ready to paste.
Nth root symbol on Mac
Option + V is a mapping built specifically for √ — there's no equivalent for a root with a variable or higher index, since it isn't a single character to map a key to.
Character Viewer — 4th root only
Your OSOpens the Character Viewer in any app. Search “quartic root” for ∜. Searching “5th root” or similar won't turn up a result, because no such character exists.
Faster for repeated use
If you type a specific index often — say, 5th roots for a stats class — add a text replacement: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacement → +, paste the composed symbol (like ⁵√), and set a shortcut such asroot5.
Nth root symbol on iPhone & Android (phone keyboard)
Neither iOS nor Android has a key combo for any root symbol, dedicated character or composed. Copy the one you need and paste it, or set up a permanent shortcut.
iPhone / iPad
- Generate your symbol in the equation writer, or copy ∜ for a 4th root.
- Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement → tap +.
- Paste the symbol as the phrase, set a shortcut like
root5. - Typing “root5” anywhere now auto-suggests it.
Android (Gboard)
- Generate your symbol in the equation writer, or copy ∜ for a 4th root.
- Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary → add a word.
- Paste the symbol as the word, set a shortcut like
root5. - Typing “root5” now suggests it above the keyboard.
Nth root symbol in Word, Excel & Google Docs
Microsoft Word
Use the Equation editor: Insert → Equation → Radical, then pick the version with a visible index box and fill it in. Inside an equation field, typing \sqrt(x,n) and pressing space also builds it automatically. Outside the equation editor, paste the plain-text symbol from the equation writer instead.
Excel & Google Sheets
Neither app has a built-in NTHROOT function. Use =A1^(1/B1) with the index in B1, or =SIGN(A1)*ABS(A1)^(1/B1) if A1 can be negative and B1 is odd — a plain power formula errors on a negative base otherwise.
Google Docs / Slides
Insert → Special characters → search “quartic root” for ∜ (4th root only). For any other index, paste the composed symbol from the equation writer — Google Docs' equation editor also supports a radical with a custom index under Insert → Equation.
Typing this into code instead of a document?
See the Unicode escapes, LaTeX command, and how to actually calculate an nth root in JavaScript, Python, Excel, and more — including where odd and even indexes diverge on negative numbers.
Open nth root in code