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This article provides instructions on how to insert the square root symbol (√) into text editing programs such as Microsoft Word on both Windows and macOS. If you're using Microsoft Word, adding the square root symbol is simple by selecting it from the menu. For other applications, you can use shortcut keys on both Windows or macOS.
Steps
Using Microsoft Word
Open Microsoft Word document. You can do this by double-clicking on the file on your computer.
- This method is effective on both Windows and macOS.
Click on the location where you want to insert the symbol.
Click on the Insert menu. You will find this menu at the top of the Word window.
Click on the Symbol option.
Click on the More Symbols… option.
Click on the dropdown next to “subset” (subset).
Click on Mathematical Operators (Mathematical operations). A list of available mathematical symbols will be shown here.
Click on the square root symbol √. If you cannot find this symbol, try scrolling up a bit. Click on the symbol from the list to insert it into your Word document.
Use keyboard shortcuts on Windows
Locate the numeric keypad. If your keyboard has a separate section to the right with 10 number keys, you're all set! If you're using a laptop or an external keyboard without a separate number pad, you may still have a ‘soft’ numeric keypad:
- Check the right side of your keyboard, especially for keys like: 7, 8, 9, U, I, O, J, K, L, M. Do you see small numbers printed on the keys? If yes, you have a soft numeric keypad enabled by the Number Lock key.
- Some newer laptops don’t have a separate numeric keypad. In that case, you'll need to try a different method.
Enable Number Lock Num ⇩ (if you have a soft numeric keypad). Whether you have a separate number pad or a soft one, your keyboard will have a Num Lock, NumLk, or similar key located in the top right corner. Occasionally, it may be found elsewhere, but start from that area. Once you locate it, simply press it to enable Number Lock.
- If the Num Lock key is combined with another key, such as Screen Lock, you may need to press the Fn key to activate Number Lock.
- To check if Number Lock is active, press the U key – if you see the number 4 instead of U, everything is working! Otherwise, press Num Lock again.
Open the document where you wish to insert the square root symbol. You can use this method in any Windows application that allows text input, including web browsers.
Click on the spot where you want to insert the square root symbol.
Hold down the Alt key, type 2, then 5 and finally 1. If you are using a soft number pad, press K for 2, I for 5, and J for 1. Release the Alt key after typing the number 1 – the square root symbol should appear immediately.
- Do not use the numbers from the top row of the keyboard – this will not work! You must use the numeric keypad, whether it is a separate keypad or a soft one.
Press the Num ⇩ key to turn it off. After inserting the square root symbol, you can turn off Number Lock. This step is crucial when using the soft number pad to avoid accidentally typing numbers.
Use the Character Map on Windows
Open the document where you want to insert the square root symbol. You can use this method in any Windows application that allows text input, including web browsers. It's a great alternative to using the number pad if you're unable to do so.
Open Character Map. You can easily do this by typing character into the Windows search bar (next to the Start menu), and clicking on Character Map in the search results.
Check the box next to "Advanced view". This option is located at the bottom left corner of the Character Map window.
Type square root into the "Search for" field. This field can be found at the bottom of the window.
Press ↵ Enter or click on Search (Search). You will now see the square root symbol in the top-left corner of the program window.
Double-click the square root symbol. This action will insert the symbol into the "Characters to copy" field.
Click on Copy. The square root symbol is now copied to your computer's clipboard.
Click on the location in the text where you wish to insert the symbol. This will place the cursor at the correct spot.
Press Ctrl+V to paste the copied symbol. Alternatively, you can right-click near the cursor position and select Paste. The square root symbol will appear in your text.
Use shortcut keys on Mac
Open the document where you wish to insert the square root symbol. You can use this method in any Mac application that allows text input, including web browsers.
Click where you want to insert the square root symbol.
Press ⌥ Option+v. This will immediately insert the square root symbol into your text.
- If you're using the Grapher app, press Shift + Option + V.
Tip:
- You can also copy and paste the square root symbol from this article into your text. Hover over the symbol √, right-click, and select Copy. Then, right-click where you want it to appear and choose Paste to insert the symbol.
