Square Root
The square root sign is U+221A. It is a mathematical operator, not a tick, even though the two look alike at small sizes. In proper typesetting it carries a horizontal bar over the expression it covers, which a check mark never does.
| Symbol | √ | |
|---|---|---|
| Unicode | U+221A | |
| Name | Square Root (used as check) | |
| HTML (named) | √ | |
| HTML (decimal) | √ | |
| HTML (hex) | √ | |
| CSS content | \221A | |
| JavaScript / JSON | \u221A | |
| UTF-8 bytes | 0xE2 0x88 0x9A | |
| UTF-16 units | 0x221A |
How do you type the square root on each platform?
| Where | How to type it |
|---|---|
| Any device | Click the √ at the top of this page. It goes straight to your clipboard, and you paste it with Ctrl+V on Windows or Cmd+V on a Mac. This is the only method that behaves identically everywhere. |
| Windows | There is no short alt code for this character. Press Win and the full stop key to open the emoji and symbol panel, then use the symbols tab and search for square root. |
| macOS | Add Unicode Hex Input under Keyboard settings, switch to it, then hold Option and type 221A. Without that input source, open the Character Viewer with Control+Command+Space and search for square root. |
| Linux and ChromeOS | Press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 221a, then press Enter or the space bar. This works in GTK applications and with IBus. |
| Microsoft Word | Type 221A in the document, then press Alt and X together with the cursor immediately after the last digit. Word replaces the digits with √. |
| Google Docs | Insert, then Special characters, then paste U+221A or type square root in the search box. You can also draw the shape in the sketch pad on the right. |
| Excel and Google Sheets | Use the formula UNICHAR(8730) in a cell. Copy the cell and paste it as a value if you want the character rather than the formula. |
| HTML | Write √, or the numeric reference √, or √. On a page served as UTF-8 the character itself also works. |
| CSS | Use content: "\221A" inside a ::before or ::after rule. Terminate the escape with a space if the next character is also a hexadecimal digit. |
| JavaScript | The escape \u221A produces this character inside a string literal, and the same escape is valid in JSON. |
More detail per platform: Windows alt codes, special characters on a Mac, special characters in Word and HTML entities.
Which characters look like the square root?
Several characters render almost identically to this one, and picking the wrong one breaks search, sorting and screen readers even when it looks right on screen. The square root √ is U+221A. These are the ones it is confused with.
| Character | Code point | Name | What it is really for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | U+2713 | Check Mark | The actual tick. Use this in a checklist. A square root sign in a checklist is wrong even though it reads as a tick to most eyes. |
| ∛ | U+221B | Cube Root | The same operator with a small 3. Only correct for cube roots. |
| √ | U+221A | Square Root | This character. In HTML it also has the named entity for radical. |
Frequently asked questions
Is the square root sign the same as a check mark?
No. They render similarly but they are different characters with different meanings: U+221A is a mathematical operator, U+2713 is a tick. Search, sorting and screen readers all treat them differently.
How do I copy the square root symbol?
Click the √ above or the copy button and it is placed on your clipboard. Paste it anywhere with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V. It is a real text character, so it works in documents, chats and code.
What is the Unicode code point for square root?
The square root has the Unicode code point U+221A. In HTML you can write it as √ or √, or with the named entity √.
Can I use the square root symbol in HTML and CSS?
Yes. In HTML write √ or the named entity √, and in CSS use content: "\221A" inside a ::before or ::after rule. The code table on this page has copy buttons for both.
How does it differ from the lookalikes?
Related symbols
Browse the full check mark symbols hub, or return to the searchable symbol grid.