Syntax
=SQRT(value)
value- The number to take the square root of. Must not be negative.
SQRT function in Google Sheets
SQRT returns the positive square root of a number. You'll mostly meet it in geometry (side length from area) and statistics.
Practice SQRT
Task 1 of 1
Each plot is a square. Find the length of one side from the area in A2. Answer in B2.
Tip: while typing a formula, click a cell or drag across cells to insert references. Press Enter to check, and Tab to accept a function suggestion.
SQRT examples
Each example below runs against this sample sheet. The results are calculated by the same engine as the practice grid.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Value | Other |
| 2 | -7.45 | 3 |
| 3 | 12.5 | 4 |
| 4 | 81 | 2 |
| 5 | 2.5 | 0 |
| 6 | 1234.567 | 5 |
| Formula | Result | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
=SQRT(A4) | 9 | Square root of 81. |
=SQRT(B3) | 2 | Square root of 4. |
=SQRT(A2) | #NUM! | Negative numbers have no real square root, so this returns #NUM!. |
=SQRT(ABS(A2)) | 2.72946881279 | Wrap the value in ABS if the sign doesn't matter. |
Tips and common mistakes
- For cube roots and other roots, use POWER with a fraction: =POWER(x, 1/3).
Related functions
Learning step by step? SQRT is covered in Lesson 32: MEDIAN, MOD, ABS & More Math of the free course.