How to Insert the Sign for Square Root ( √ ) on Windows

Trying to type the square root symbol (instead of typing “square root”) , say in a formula, on a PC? Find out here how to insert the sign for square root ( √ ) as well as other radix signs on Windows with emoji panel, touch keyboard and Character Map.

First, Vessels Are Buried

Every year, big earthen vessels are buried with the year’s harvest of berries in Georgia.

Over the coming weeks, the mashed vintage is left to ferment almost under the exclusion of oxygen and at the constant temperature underground. When the vessels (called “qvevri”) are dug up again in Spring, a wine particularly rich in tannins and polyphenols emerges, produced with a technique practiced in some form, it seems, since around 6 000 BCE.

Now that we have explored the roots of winemaking, it is only natural, I fathom, to explore the square and cube roots of 6 000 and other numbers:

How to Insert the Sign for Square Root ( √ ) on Windows

Using the Windows Emoji Panel (Easy One-Off Use)

Using the Windows Touch Keyboard (Easy Square Root)

To get the square root sign anywhere on Windows using the touch keyboard:

1. Bring up the Windows touch keyboard with the Touch keyboard button.
2. Switch to the touch keyboard’s default layout.
   Here’s how: Click the settings gear icon in the keyboard, then choose Keyboard layout | Default from the menu that has appeared.
3. Select &123.
4. Tap or click and hold / (for division).
5. Move the mouse or finger to highlight √.
6. Let go of the mouse or finger tap to insert the square root symbol.
   

Using Character Map (Near-Universal)

To access the sign for square root with Windows Character Map for pasting anywhere on Windows:

1. Open Character Map on Windows.
   Here’s how: Press Windows to open the Start menu, for example and start typing character map, then select the Character Map application.
2. Click in the Search for : field.
3. Type square root.
   Other radices: Type cube root for ∛ and fourth root for ∜, or type root to find all radix symbols for the font.
   Fonts: Choose Lucida Sans Unicode under Font : for a font that includes all Unicode root characters, for example.
4. Click Search.
5. Double-click the desired square root sign to select it.
6. Now click Copy to copy the characters listed under Characters to copy :.
   

On a Mac? How to Insert the Square Root Symbol on a Mac

Use Arbitrary Roots in Microsoft Word

In MS Word, not only can you insert the characters as above, you can also craft equations using square and other roots, of course.

How to Insert the Sign for Square Root ( √ ) on Windows: FAQ

Is there an “Alt-Code” for the square root sign?

No.

Windows does not include Alt-code access to the sign for square root (or the other radix signs).

Can I copy and paste the Unicode characters?

Yes.

You can use the table below to copy the square root symbols for pasting anywhere (using a font that includes the respective characters).

Square root symbol √	copy
Cube root symbol ∛	copy
Fourth root symbol ∜	copy

(How to insert the sign for square root on Windows tested with Windows 11 Version 22H2; updated March 2024)