SQRT Function Examples – Excel & Google Sheets

This Tutorial demonstrates how to use the Excel SQRT Function in Excel to calculate the square root.

SQRT Function Overview

The SQRT Function Calculates the square root of a number.

To use the SQRT Excel Worksheet Function, select a cell and type:

(Notice how the formula inputs appear)

SQRT Function Syntax and Inputs:

=SQRT(number)

number – A number.

SQRT Function 

The SQRT Function returns the square root of a number. 

=SQRT(81)

The formula calculates the square root of 81. The square root of a number is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives the number.

SQRT Function – Negative Number

The SQRT Function returns #NUM! error when negative numbers are entered. The square root of a negative number is undefined. 

=SQRT(-81)

SQRT & ABS Function 

You can also calculate the square root of a negative number like its positive, the ABS Function can be used. 

=SQRT(ABS(-81))

Here, the ABS Function converts the negative number into positive number.  

SQRT Function in Google Sheets

The SQRT Function works exactly the same in Google Sheets as in Excel:

Additional Notes

Use the SQRT Function to calculate the square root of a number.

Alternatively you can raise the number to the .5 power:

=5^.5 is the same as =sqrt(5) is the same as =product(5,.5)

Return to the List of all Functions in Excel