Android Guide
How to Type the Square Root Symbol on Android
Copy the square root symbol instantly
Good News: Android Keyboards Already Include √
Unlike the iPhone, which has no √ key at all, the two dominant Android keyboards — Google’s Gboard and Samsung Keyboard — both ship with the square root symbol (Unicode U+221A) built into their symbol pages. You just need to know which page it’s on.
Method 1: Gboard (Most Android Phones)
- Open any app with a text field and bring up Gboard
- Tap ?123 in the bottom-left to switch to numbers
- Tap =< (above ?123) to open the second symbols page
- Tap √ — it sits alongside π, ÷, × and other math operators
Gboard is the default on Pixel phones and most non-Samsung Android devices, and this layout has been consistent across Android versions for years.
Method 2: Samsung Keyboard (Galaxy Phones)
- Tap into any text field to bring up Samsung Keyboard
- Tap !#1 in the bottom-left to open symbols
- Tap 1/2 to flip to the second symbols page
- Tap √
If you’ve installed Gboard on a Galaxy, use the Gboard steps above instead.
Method 3: Copy and Paste (Works Everywhere)
For third-party keyboards without a symbols page: tap Copy √ on this page, press and hold in any text field, then tap Paste. Plain Unicode, works in WhatsApp, Gmail, Google Docs, Telegram — every Android app.
Bonus: Personal Dictionary Shortcut
Android’s equivalent of iPhone Text Replacement:
- Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Gboard
- Tap Dictionary → Personal dictionary → choose your language
- Tap +, paste √ in the word field, type
sqrtas shortcut, save
Now typing sqrt triggers √ in the suggestion bar — one tap and it’s inserted.
√ Support Across Android Apps
| App | Support |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp / Telegram / SMS | Full — types and displays normally |
| Google Docs / Keep | Full — keyboard or Insert → Special characters |
| Gmail | Full |
| Instagram / X / TikTok | Full — bios, captions, comments |
| Calculator | Has a √ function key — computes, doesn’t type the character |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find √ on my Android keyboard?
You’re on the first symbols page. Both Gboard and Samsung Keyboard put √ on the second page — tap =< (Gboard) or 1/2 (Samsung) to get there. Third-party keyboards without it: use copy-paste.
How do I type cube root ∛ on Android?
Cube root (∛, U+221B) isn’t on Gboard’s symbol pages. Copy it from our copy and paste page or add it to Personal Dictionary with a shortcut like “cbrt”.
Does √ look the same on iPhone as on Android?
Yes — U+221A is standard Unicode, so recipients on any platform see an identical character. It’s plain text, not a platform-specific image.
Can Google voice typing insert √?
No. “Square root symbol” by voice types the words. Voice input handles standard punctuation but not mathematical operators.
How do I get a vinculum (overline) on √ on Android?
The plain √ has no extending overline. For fully typeset radicals use Google Docs’ equation editor (on desktop) or a LaTeX app that renders sqrt{x} with the full bar.