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:
- 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. - 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.
- 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.
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:
- Open KDE KCharSelect or the Characters app on Gnome.
- Search for
superscript two
.
Other superscripted characters: Search forsuperscript
alone, of course, to discover additional superscripted characters. - Highlight and copy the squared symbol ².
Using the “Compose” Key
To input the squared symbol using the “Compose” key on Linux:
- Define and enable the “Compose” key.
- Place the text insertion cursor where the superscripted ‘2’ is to appear.
- Press Compose.
- Type 2.
- 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:
Character | English International | Symbolic |
---|---|---|
² | AltGr 2 | AltGr 2 |
³ | AltGr 3 | AltGr 3 |
¹ | AltGr Shift 1 | AltGr 1 |
⁴ | AltGr 4 | |
⁵ | AltGr 5 | |
⁶ | AltGr 6 | |
⁶ | AltGr 7 | |
⁸ | AltGr 8 | |
⁹ | AltGr 9 | |
⁰ | AltGr 0 |
“Compose” Key
The Compose key allows for inserting the following additional raised numbers:
Character | Key Sequence |
---|---|
² | Compose 2 AltGr 2 |
³ | Compose 1 AltGr 2 |
¹ | Compose 3 AltGr 2 |
Can I enter the squared symbol using its Unicode code point?
Yes.
To insert the superscript 2 using Unicode on Linux:
- Press Ctrl Shift U.
- Type
00B2
for ‘²’.
Other numbers: Find the codes for other superscripted numbers below. - Press Enter.
Unicode Code Points for Superscripted Numbers
Character | Unicode code point |
---|---|
² | 00B2 |
³ | 00B3 |
¹ | 00B9 |
⁴ | 2074 |
⁵ | 2075 |
⁶ | 2076 |
⁶ | 2077 |
⁸ | 2078 |
⁹ | 2079 |
⁰ | 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 ⁴ | |
superscript five ⁵ | |
superscript six ⁶ | |
superscript seven ⁷ | |
superscript eight ⁸ | |
superscript nine ⁹ | |
superscript zero ⁰ |
(How to insert the “squared” sign ( ² ) on Linux tested with Gnome 46 and KDE Plasma 6.2, first published January 2025)