iPhone Guide
How to Type the Square Root Symbol on iPhone
Copy the square root symbol instantly
Why Is There No √ Key on the iPhone Keyboard?
Apple’s iOS keyboard covers letters, numbers and everyday punctuation — but mathematical operators like the square root symbol (√, Unicode U+221A) didn’t make the cut. Unlike a Mac where Option + V types √ instantly, the iPhone has no direct keystroke. That leaves three practical methods, and the right one depends on how often you need the symbol.
Method 1: Copy and Paste (Fastest One-Time Fix)
- Tap the Copy √ button on this page
- Open your app — Messages, Notes, Mail, Pages, any text field
- Press and hold in the text field, then tap Paste
The symbol pastes as plain Unicode text, works in every iOS app, and matches whatever font you’re typing in. If you only need √ occasionally, this is all you need.
Method 2: Text Replacement (Best for Regular Use)
Text Replacement is iOS’s built-in auto-expand feature — the closest thing to having a real √ key:
- Copy √ first (use the button on this page)
- Open Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
- Tap the + in the top-right corner
- In Phrase, paste √
- In Shortcut, type
sqrt - Tap Save
From that point on, typing sqrt followed by a space anywhere on your iPhone instantly becomes √. Because Text Replacement syncs through iCloud, the shortcut also works automatically on your iPad and Mac.
Tip: Pick a shortcut you’d never type by accident. “sqrt” is safe; a single letter would fire constantly.
Method 3: A Third-Party Math Keyboard
If you type mathematical notation daily — students, teachers, engineers — a dedicated keyboard from the App Store puts √, π, ∞, exponents and fractions on one layout. Enable it under Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard, then switch to it with the globe key.
Can Siri or Dictation Type √?
Not reliably. Saying “square root symbol” during dictation types the words, not the character. Dictation handles common punctuation but has no voice command for mathematical operators. Stick with copy-paste or Text Replacement.
√ in Specific iPhone Apps
| App | Best method |
|---|---|
| Messages / WhatsApp | Text Replacement or paste |
| Notes | Text Replacement or paste |
| Pages / Word / Google Docs | Paste, or the app’s Insert menu |
| Mail / Gmail | Text Replacement or paste |
| Calculator (scientific) | Rotate to landscape — computes roots, doesn’t type √ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPhone emoji keyboard have a square root symbol?
No. The emoji keyboard contains emoji only. √ is a Unicode text character (U+221A), not an emoji. Use copy-paste or Text Replacement instead.
Will my Text Replacement shortcut sync to my iPad and Mac?
Yes. Text Replacement syncs through iCloud to every device on the same Apple ID, so setting “sqrt” once covers your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
How do I type cube root ∛ on iPhone?
There’s no built-in key for it either. Copy ∛ (U+221B) from our copy and paste page and create a second shortcut like “cbrt”.
Does √ display correctly when I send it in a message?
Yes. U+221A is standard Unicode, so Android, Windows and Mac recipients all see the identical character — not an image, not an emoji, just text.
Can I write expressions like √25 = 5 on iPhone?
Absolutely. Once inserted, √ behaves like any character — type numbers right after it: √25 = 5. For a typeset radical with a vinculum overline, use an equation editor like Pages’ built-in math tool or a LaTeX app.