HTML Entity for Square Root (√)

Beginner

5 min read

Updated: Sep 2026

1 example

Unicode U+221A

HTML Entity for square root (U+221A) tutorial illustration

Definition

What Is Square Root?

Square root (√) is the Unicode character at U+221A in Mathematical Operators. Official name: SQUARE ROOT. It is the radical symbol used for square-root notation in algebra and teaching content.

Remember

Character     √
Unicode       U+221A
Named entity  &radic;
Hex entity    &#x221A;
Decimal       &#8730;
CSS escape    \221A
Not the same  ∛ · ∜

Prefer √ in HTML markup (&Sqrt; is an alias). You can also type √ in UTF-8, or use numeric forms when needed. For cube root, use ∛ (U+221B) instead.

Reference

Quick Reference

One table for every form you will actually use.

Form	Code	Where it goes
Named entity	`√`	HTML markup (preferred)
Alias	`&Sqrt;`	Same glyph as `√`
Direct character	`√`	HTML text (UTF-8)
Hex entity	`√`	HTML markup
Decimal entity	`√`	HTML markup
CSS escape	`\221A`	Stylesheet `content`
Cube root (related)	∛ (U+221B)	No common named entity — use numeric

When to Use Which

Situation	Use
Square root / radical symbol	`√` or type `√`
Cube root	∛ (U+221B)
Complex math layout	MathML or a math renderer — not plain entities alone
Generated text via `::before` / `::after`	`content: "\221A"`

See it

Live Preview

Square root rendered alone and in short algebra notation.

Large glyph √

Notation √16 = 4

Compared √ (radic) | ∛ (cube) | ∜ (fourth)

Hint Compare: Square √ vs Cube ∛

With entities Named: √ | Hex: √ | Decimal: √

Code

Complete HTML Example

One page that shows square root with named, hex, decimal, CSS escape, and a typed character. Use View Output or open the live editor.

Named + Hex + Decimal + CSS + Typed

Five ways to produce √, plus a short algebra example.

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Square Root (√) in HTML</title>
  <style>
    #point::after {
      content: "\221A";
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <p>Using Named Entity: &radic;</p>
  <p>Using Hex Code: &#x221A;</p>
  <p>Using HTML Code: &#8730;</p>
  <p id="point">Using CSS Entity: </p>
  <p>Typed directly: √</p>
  <p>Notation: &radic;16 = 4</p>
</body>
</html>

Try It Yourself

How It Works

1. Named: √ is the HTML5 name for U+221A → √. Best default in markup.

2. Hex: U+221A → √ in HTML. Same glyph as the named form.

3. Decimal: same code point as 8730 → √. Same result as hex and named.

4. CSS: use \221A in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that √ after the paragraph text.

5. Typed / notation: paste √ in UTF-8, or write √16 = 4 for a short expression.

Pitfalls & Tips

Common mistakes when working with √.

vs ∛

Not cube root

U+221B (∛) is cube root. U+221A is specifically square root.

Layout

Plain text is not full math layout

√ is a single character. It does not draw a vinculum over a long expression — use MathML or CSS for that.

Name

Remember √

The named entity is √ (radical) — not &sqrt; (that name is not defined in HTML5).

CSS vs HTML

Do not mix escapes

\221A belongs in CSS strings. √ / √ / √ belong in HTML.

Semicolon

End named entities

Always finish with ; — write √, not &radic.

A11y

Say “square root” nearby

Screen readers may announce “radical” or skip the symbol. Prefer nearby text like “square root of 16” when clarity matters.

Compatibility

Browser Support

Square root (U+221A) and its entity forms (√, √, √, CSS \\221A) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Visible glyphs depend on Mathematical Operators font coverage.

✓ Universal support

Square Root (√)

Encode with named, hex, decimal, CSS escape, or type the character — same code point everywhere encoding is supported.

100% Browser coverage

Google Chrome Supported

Yes

Microsoft Edge Supported

Yes

Mozilla Firefox Supported

Yes

Apple Safari Supported

Yes

Opera Supported

Yes

Internet Explorer All versions

Yes

U+221A / entities Full support

Bottom line: Prefer √ in HTML. Use √ / √ when numeric form is required, and \\221A only inside CSS content.

Remember

Key Takeaways

Unicode: square root is U+221A (decimal 8730) — glyph √.
HTML: prefer √ — also √ / √ / type √.
CSS: use \221A inside content for generated text.
Meaning: √ is square root — not ∛ (cube), not ∜ (fourth).

One line: U+221A → √ / √ / √ / CSS \221A.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I display √ in HTML?

Use √ (named), √ (hex), √ (decimal), type √ directly in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \221A in content. Prefer √ in normal HTML.

What is the Unicode value for square root?

U+221A (SQUARE ROOT). Hex 221A, decimal 8730. It belongs to Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF).

Is there a named HTML entity for U+221A?

Yes. Use √ (or the alias &Sqrt;). Numeric forms √ and √ also work.

Is √ the same as ∛ or ∜?

No. √ is U+221A (√). ∛ is U+221B (cube root). ∜ is U+221C (fourth root).

When should I use √?

Use it for square-root / radical notation in algebra and teaching pages. Pair it with the radicand in text (for example √16) or use MathML for complex expressions.

What is the difference between HTML code and CSS entity for U+221A?

HTML entities (√, √, or √) go in markup. The CSS escape \221A goes in stylesheet strings (usually content on ::before/::after).

Did you know?

Square root is Unicode U+221A (decimal 8730) — glyph √ in Mathematical Operators (U+2200–U+22FF). HTML5 names it √ (also &Sqrt;). Official name: SQUARE ROOT. Do not confuse with cube root U+221B (∛) or fourth root U+221C (∜).

Next: Square Yuan

Learn the HTML entity for square yuan (U+3350).

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About the author

Mari Selvan M P 🔗

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Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
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I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

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