# How to calculate a square root in Excel

Use SQRT, `=SQRT(B2)`, or raise the number to the power of one half with `=B2^(1/2)`.

**Excel:** `=SQRT(B2)` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Room | Area (sq ft) | Side of a square room (ft) |
| Office | 144 |  |
| Studio | 220 |  |
| Den | 100 |  |
| Garage | 576 |  |
| Loft | 310 |  |

Formula in C2, filled to C6: `=SQRT(B2)`

Result: 12.00; 14.83; 10.00; 24.00; 17.61

## How it works

The square root is the number that, multiplied by itself, gives the original: 12 × 12 = 144, so a 144 sq ft square room has 12 ft sides. SQRT works for any non-negative number; 220 gives about 14.83.

## Other ways

- `=B2^(1/2)`: A power of 1/2 is a square root. The same pattern gives any root: ^(1/3) for a cube root.
- `=POWER(B2,0.5)`: POWER is the function form of ^.

## Common mistakes

- SQRT of a negative number returns #NUM!. Use `=SQRT(ABS(B2))` if the sign doesn't matter.
- `=B2^1/2` without parentheses divides B2 by 2. The exponent needs brackets: `^(1/2)`.

## Questions

**How do I square a number instead?**

Use `=B2^2`.

**How do I insert the √ symbol?**

It is display only: Insert > Symbol, or format the result with a custom format like `"√"0.00`. The formula is still SQRT.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-30.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/square-root