Square Root Symbol On Keyboard Mac [updated] Jun 2026

You can also insert √ by enabling the “Show Emoji & Symbols” menu in your menu bar:

Using the Character Viewer (Emoji & Symbols)The Character Viewer is the best tool for finding math symbols that don't have dedicated shortcuts.

While Mac keyboards are known for their intuitive design, certain mathematical symbols—like the square root (√)—aren’t printed on the keys. Fortunately, macOS provides several quick and easy methods to insert this symbol, whether you’re writing a math assignment, taking notes, or working on a spreadsheet. square root symbol on keyboard mac

This works in virtually any application, including Pages, Word, Notes, TextEdit, and web browsers. It’s the Mac equivalent of copying and pasting, but much faster.

Apple designed its keyboard layout to be intuitive for special characters. The "V" key was likely chosen because the square root symbol looks like a stylized letter "v" with a tail. By combining it with "Option" (which is used for secondary characters), it becomes easy to memorize. You can also insert √ by enabling the

If you prefer to use the Character Viewer, follow these steps:

Using the "Edit" MenuMost Mac apps have an "Edit" menu at the very top of the screen. You can usually find the Character Viewer there as well. This works in virtually any application, including Pages,

Keep the Character Viewer open while you work. You can drag the √ symbol into your document repeatedly, or explore related symbols like ∛ (cube root) or ∜ (fourth root).