SQRT Function in Excel: Square Root

⏱ 1 min readUpdated 28 September 2026

MathLevel: BeginnerAvailable in: Excel 2007+

In this article
  1. Syntax
  2. Examples
  3. Example 1
  4. Example 2
  5. Common errors and fixes
  6. Related functions

SQRT returns the positive square root.

Syntax

=SQRT(number)
Argument What it means
number Zero or positive.

Examples

Example 1

=SQRT(A2^2+B2^2)

Straight-line distance from x/y differences.

Example 2

=STDEV.S(B2:B253)*SQRT(252)

Annualise daily volatility (252 trading days).

Common errors and fixes

You see Why, and the fix
#NUM! Negative number. Use ABS if appropriate.

POWER · ABS

📚 Part of the free Excel course: Beginner → Expert · Try it in the Formula Lab or ask the AI Helper.

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