Excel calculates square roots with the SQRT function, and you can also use the ^ (power) operator for square roots, cube roots and any other root. This guide shows both, how to handle negative numbers, how to fill a whole column, and how to display the √ symbol, in Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, Mac and the web.
Quick Answer
Type =SQRT(A2) in a cell, where A2 holds the number, and press Enter. Or type =A2^(1/2). For a number directly, use =SQRT(25), which returns 5.
Method 1: The SQRT Function
- Click the cell where you want the result.
- Type =SQRT(, click the cell with the number (or type a number), and type ).
- Press Enter.
- Drag the fill handle (the small square at the cell’s corner) down to apply it to the rest of the column.
Method 2: The Power Operator
- Square root: =A2^(1/2) or =A2^0.5
- Cube root: =A2^(1/3)
- Any nth root: =A2^(1/n), for example =A2^(1/4) for a fourth root
Keep the parentheses around the fraction; =A2^1/2 calculates A2 to the power 1, then divides by 2.
Method 3: The POWER Function
=POWER(A2, 1/2) gives the same result and can be easier to read in complex formulas.
Handle Negative Numbers
- SQRT of a negative number returns #NUM!.
- Use =SQRT(ABS(A2)) to take the root of the absolute value.
- Use =IFERROR(SQRT(A2),””) to show a blank instead of an error.
- For complex numbers, use =IMSQRT(A2), which returns results like “3i”.
Square Root in Other Calculations
- Pythagorean theorem: =SQRT(A2^2+B2^2)
- Standard deviation by hand: =SQRT(VAR.S(A2:A20)) (or just use STDEV.S)
- Square root of pi times a number: =SQRTPI(A2)
Show the √ Symbol
- Insert > Symbol, choose Mathematical Operators and insert √.
- Or in a formula, combine text: =”√”&A2&” = “&SQRT(A2).
- Custom number format: select results, press Ctrl + 1, choose Custom, and type “√”0.00 to prefix the symbol while keeping numbers usable.
Rounding Results
Wrap the formula in ROUND, for example =ROUND(SQRT(A2), 2), or use the Decrease Decimal button on the Home tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my formula show as text?
The cell may be formatted as Text, or you forgot the equals sign. Change the format to General and re-enter the formula.
Does SQRT work in Google Sheets?
Yes. Google Sheets uses the same =SQRT() and ^ syntax.
How do I square a number instead?
Use =A2^2 or =POWER(A2,2).
Summary
- Use =SQRT(A2) for square roots.
- Use =A2^(1/n) for any root.
- Wrap negative numbers in ABS or IFERROR.
- Add the √ symbol with Insert > Symbol or a custom format.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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