---
title: "SQRT function in Excel: syntax and examples | PracticeExcel"
description: "How to use SQRT in Excel and Google Sheets: square roots, the distance between two points and how to avoid the #NUM! error."
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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://practiceexcelonline.com/llms.txt)
# **The SQRT function**
Returns the square root of a number. A negative number gives
=
SQRT(
## **Syntax**
```
SQRT(number)
```
- **number **
- The number to take the square root of. It must be 0 or more.
## **Examples**
B1=SQRT(144)
| | A | B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | | **12** |
D1=SQRT(B1^2+B2^2)
| | A | B | C | D |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Width | 3 | | **5** |
| 2 | Height | 4 | | |
B1=SQRT(ABS(-16))
| | A | B |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | | **4** |
## **Questions**
### Why does SQRT return
The number is negative. If you only want the root of its size, write =SQRT(ABS(A2)).
### How do I calculate a cube root in Excel?
Raise the number to the power of 1/3, as in =A2^(1/3) or =POWER(A2,1/3). SQRT only does square roots.
## **Related functions**
- [**POWER**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/power)
- [**ABS**](https://practiceexcelonline.com/functions/abs)
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