Square root symbol (√): copy and paste
The square root symbol (√), called the radical sign, denotes the principal square root of the number that follows it: √9 = 3. In plain text it has no overline, so use parentheses for longer expressions: √(a² + b²).
Programming languages and spreadsheets do not accept the symbol; use sqrt(x) or x^0.5 there. For proper typeset formulas use an equation editor or LaTeX (\sqrt{x}).
Square root symbol variants to copy
Click any character to copy it.
How to type √ on Mac, Windows and phone
On a Mac with the US keyboard layout, press ⌥ Option + V to type √.
On Windows, hold Alt and type 251 on the numeric keypad (Num Lock on), then release Alt.
Not on the default keyboards. Paste √ from here, or type sqrt.
| Platform | How to type √ |
|---|---|
| Mac (US layout) | ⌥ Option + V |
| Windows | Alt + 251 |
| Any Mac app | Emojibar: click the menubar icon, search “square root symbol”, click to copy |
Square root symbol codes for HTML, CSS and LaTeX
| Unicode | U+221A |
| HTML | √ · √ |
| CSS content | "\221A" |
| LaTeX | \sqrt{x} |