The radical sign √ has no Windows Alt code, so copy it or type 221A then Alt+X in Word. On a Mac it is Option+V. On its own it covers only the character that follows, so anything longer needs brackets or a proper equation editor.
01 All shortcuts at a glance
| Platform | Shortcut | |
|---|---|---|
| Windows (any app) | Win+. or Win+; emoji/symbol picker, or Character Map (Win+R → charmap) |
|
| Mac | Control+Command+Space to open Character Viewer, search "Square Root" |
|
| Word / Outlook | Type 221A, then press Alt+X |
|
| Linux (IBus) | Ctrl+Shift+U, then 221a, then Enter |
|
| HTML / CSS | √ · \221a (CSS) |
02 Step by step, per platform
A real, followable procedure for every platform, not a thin restatement of the shortcut.
Windows
- Open Character Map: Win+R, type charmap, press Enter.
- Search or scroll for Square Root (U+221A).
- Select it, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
Mac
- Press Control+Command+Space to open the Character Viewer.
- Type "Square Root" in the search field.
- Double-click the result to insert it.
Microsoft Word
- Type 221A.
- Press Alt+X immediately after, it converts the hex code to √.
03 Characters in this set
04 Troubleshooting & confusables
| Looks like it | But it's actually | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ∛ (U+221B) | Cube root | For a cube root. There is also a fourth root at U+221C. |
| sqrt() | The function name used in code | In every programming language and spreadsheet, which have no radical operator. |
| √ without an overbar | A bare radical with no vinculum | The plain character has no bar, so √2+3 is ambiguous. Write √(2+3) to be clear. |
05 FAQ
What is the Unicode code point for the square root sign?
It is U+221A, decimal 8730. There is no Windows Alt code for it.
Why does the bar not stretch over my expression?
The character is a fixed glyph with no overbar, so it cannot extend. Use brackets, as in √(x+1), or an equation editor that draws a real radical.
How do I write a cube root?
Use ∛ at U+221B, or write the fractional exponent as x^(1/3), which is unambiguous and works everywhere.
What is the bar over a radical called?
The vinculum. It groups everything beneath it, which is why a plain typed radical needs brackets to say the same thing.
How do I type it in Excel?
Use the SQRT function for the calculation. The symbol itself can be inserted as text through Insert then Symbol, but it will not compute anything.