Root Calculator

Use this free root calculator to find square roots, cube roots, and nth roots with real-number guardrails, exponent form, power checks, examples, and steps.

All tools
Illustration for Root Calculator showing calculate square roots, cube roots, nth roots, exponent form, and steps.
Root Calculator artwork matches the live tool workflow: calculate square roots, cube roots, nth roots, exponent form, and steps. Use it with the calculator, examples, and result notes. View in the smoke-kawaii gallery
Square roots Cube roots Nth roots Exponent form
root_2(144)12
Exponent form
1/2
Power check
144
Root type
square root

Steps

  1. Start with the square root of 144.
  2. Rewrite the root as a rational exponent: 144^(1/2).
  3. That exponent is 0.5.
  4. The answer is 12, because 12^2 returns 144.

How to use the Root Calculator

  1. Enter the radicand, which is the value inside the root.
  2. Enter a whole-number root index, such as 2 for square root or 3 for cube root.
  3. Press Calculate root to see the answer, exponent form, power check, and steps.
  4. Use examples, recent answers, or copy the answer while checking root problems.

What people use it for

Find square roots and cube roots for math, science, and study problems.

Calculate nth roots such as fourth roots or fifth roots.

Convert root notation into rational exponent form.

Check whether a negative radicand has a real-number root.

Quick examples

Square root

root_2(144)

12

Cube root

root_3(-125)

-5

Fourth root

root_4(81)

3

Need the guide or a nearby tool?

Need a slower walkthrough, a related calculator, or the full library? These links keep you close to the task you started.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about square roots, cube roots, nth roots, negative radicands, exponent form, and privacy.

What is an nth root?

An nth root asks what number raised to the nth power gives the radicand. For example, the cube root of 125 is 5 because 5^3 = 125.

What is the difference between square root and cube root?

A square root uses index 2, so the answer squared returns the radicand. A cube root uses index 3, so the answer cubed returns the radicand.

What do the main Root Calculator inputs mean?

The main inputs are the numbers, operation, mode, or known values the calculator needs. Keep units consistent, enter percentages the way the page label shows, and use the examples as a quick check before trusting the answer.

How should I read the Root Calculator answer?

Read the headline answer, then check the supporting lines and examples to understand how the calculator got there. If one input changes, rerun the tool and compare the new answer instead of guessing.

What should I double-check before trusting the Root Calculator?

Check units, signs, rounding, and the selected mode before copying the answer. If the number feels weird, rerun one of the examples first, then put your own values back in slowly.

Can this calculator handle negative numbers?

It can calculate real odd roots of negative numbers, such as root_3(-125) = -5. Even roots of negative numbers are not real numbers, so the calculator shows an error.

How are roots related to exponents?

A root can be rewritten as a rational exponent. The nth root of x is the same as x^(1/n).

Can the root index be a decimal?

No. This calculator uses whole-number root indexes, such as 2, 3, 4, or 5.

Is my root calculation history private?

Yes. Recent root answers stay only in the current browser tab while you use the page. They are not sent to a server.

Related tools