How to Insert the Squared Sign ( ² ) on Linux

How to Insert the Squared Sign ( ² ) on Linux

by | Jan 18, 2025 | Useful Tech

Chances are you will not find a key for ‘²’ on your Linux keyboard, and chances are you can still input the character. Find out here how to insert the sign for squared ( ² ) on Linux (using a key combination, the “Compose” key or a character picker).

First, at Squared Glance

It is hard to accept at any glance that the monumental arch along St. Louis’s waterfront is 630 feet (192 meters) wide at its base and 630 feet tall from ground to top.

Even seen facing it straight and from afar, Gateway Arch looks taller than wide.

While we’re at distortions, let’s approximate the arch’s graceful shape (an inverted weighted catenary) as a parabola where y = 630 – 0.0635 x… squared. We’ll need that superscripted number 2:

How to Insert the Squared Sign ( ² ) on Linux

Using a Key Combination

Time needed: 1 minute

To type the symbol for “squared” ( ² ) on Linux using the keyboard alone:

  1. Add and turn on the US-English International keyboard layout.

    Here’s which: Choose the English (US, intl., with dead keys) layout.
    Other layouts: You can also switch to the English (US, Symbolic) keyboard layout for squared and other superscripted numbers.

  2. Position the text cursor where you want to insert the raised number ‘2’.

    Here’s where: The sign for squared appears immediately after the number or symbol that is squared; If you use the raised number for a footnote, let it follow the passage in the text immediately as well; the footnote itself is also not separated from the raised number by any whitespace.

  3. Press AltGr 2 or Alt 2 (using the right Alt key).

    Example: The gateway arch can be approximated with the equation y = 630 – 0.0635 x².
    The symbol for “squared” on the Linux US-English International keyboard

On a Mac? Type “Squared” ( ² ) on a Mac

Using a Character Picker

To find and copy the character for the squared symbol using a character picker on Linux:

  1. Open KDE KCharSelect or the Characters app on Gnome.
  2. Search for superscript two.
    Other superscripted characters: Search for superscript alone, of course, to discover additional superscripted characters.
  3. Highlight and copy the squared symbol ².
    Copying the superscript 2 in Gnome Characters

Using the “Compose” Key

To input the squared symbol using the “Compose” key on Linux:

  1. Define and enable the “Compose” key.
  2. Place the text insertion cursor where the superscripted ‘2’ is to appear.
  3. Press Compose.
  4. Type 2.
  5. Now press Shift 6 (for ^, caret).

How to Insert the Squared Sign ( ² ) on Linux: FAQ

Can I insert other raised numbers as well?

Yes.

You can input raised numbers using direct key combinations, the “Compose” key and Unicode.

Keyboard Layouts

Using the US-English International keyboard layout, you can insert the following superscripted numbers:

CharacterEnglish InternationalSymbolic
²AltGr 2AltGr 2
³AltGr 3AltGr 3
¹AltGr Shift 1AltGr 1
AltGr 4
AltGr 5
AltGr 6
AltGr 7
AltGr 8
AltGr 9
AltGr 0

“Compose” Key

The Compose key allows for inserting the following additional raised numbers:

CharacterKey Sequence
²Compose  2  AltGr 2
³Compose  1  AltGr 2
¹Compose  3  AltGr 2

Can I enter the squared symbol using its Unicode code point?

Yes.

To insert the superscript 2 using Unicode on Linux:

  1. Press Ctrl Shift U.
  2. Type 00B2 for ‘²’.
    Other numbers: Find the codes for other superscripted numbers below.
  3. Press Enter.
    Inserting the superscript number 2 using its Unicode code point on Linux

Unicode Code Points for Superscripted Numbers

CharacterUnicode code point
²00B2
³00B3
¹00B9
2074
2075
2076
2077
2078
2079
2070

Can I copy and paste the superscripted numbers including ‘²’.

Yes.

Use the tables below to copy the symbol for squared as well as all other superscripted digits as Unicode characters for pasting anywhere on Linux:

superscript two ²
superscript one ¹
superscript three ³
superscript four
superscript five
superscript six
superscript seven
superscript eight
superscript nine
superscript zero

(How to insert the squared sign ( ² ) on Linux tested with Gnome 46 and KDE Plasma 6.2, first published January 2025)

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