SQRT Function in Google Sheets: Examples, Pitfalls & Compatibility
SQRT in Google Sheets: calculate the nonnegative real square root and identify inputs outside the real-valued domain. Includes worked examples and application-specific cautions.
Verification status: Official documentation referenced; example outcomes independently reasoned or arithmetically checked where stated. Not executed in Google Sheets. How formula examples are checked
Quick answer: Use SQRT in Google Sheets to calculate the nonnegative real square root and identify inputs outside the real-valued domain. The official SQRT reference is the source for the function definition and platform-specific rules described below.
Syntax and arguments
=SQRT(value)
value (required): The nonnegative numeric value whose square root is required.
Examples use English function names, comma argument separators and decimal points. Adapt formula separators to your workbook settings, not punctuation inside quoted text.
When to use it
Use SQRT to recover a side length from a square area or to calculate a Euclidean distance from squared components. The function returns the principal nonnegative root, not both algebraic roots of an equation.
Three worked examples
Each example is independent. Where input cells are listed, enter those values first; otherwise the formula is self-contained. Expected outputs are independently checked calculations or documented error expectations, not captured results from Google Sheets.
Example 1: Recover the side of a square
=SQRT(144)
Expected result: 12.
The nonnegative root is 12; the function does not return a two-item list of positive and negative roots.
Example 2: Calculate a diagonal from two lengths
=SQRT(5^2+12^2)
Expected result: 13.
The sum of squares is 169 and its principal root is 13.
Example 3: Check the documented error boundary
=SQRT(-25)
Expected result: #NUM! (the documented error case).
A negative real input is outside the function’s real-valued domain. Inspect the original calculation rather than hiding the error.
Put it to work safely
Keep units consistent before squaring or taking roots. An area measured in square centimetres produces a side length in centimetres. If a calculation unexpectedly produces a negative radicand, investigate the input or model. Wrapping the value in ABS changes the mathematical problem and should not be used merely to hide an error.
Common mistakes and fixes
A negative value produces an error. This real-valued function cannot supply the square root of a negative real input. Both references document NUM for that case.
Only the positive root appears. The function supplies the principal root. An equation that has two roots requires separate mathematical handling.
A perfect square appears approximately correct. Check the original value and any preceding calculation. A displayed rounded input may differ from the stored value.
Google Sheets-specific notes
Google documents the same negative-input error and explains that a negative root can be represented by negating the principal result. This does not turn SQRT into a general complex-number square-root function. See the vendor reference for the current definition.
Excel and Google Sheets comparison
The positive integer and documented negative-input cases form a small common test set. Neither this guide nor the paired article certifies every floating-point extreme or complex-number workflow.
Compare the SQRT guide for Microsoft Excel and its official documentation. Having a guide in both libraries establishes two documented references, not a certificate of identical behavior across releases, locales or file conversions.
Related guides
Evidence and testing scope
Editorial verification: Official references retrieved on 2026-10-12. The three worked cases are included in this release’s reproducible Python checking suite. It checks the stated arithmetic, calendar or text model and the expected documented error classification; it is not the Google Sheets calculation engine. No native application run, UI screenshot, maximum-size benchmark or cross-version certification is claimed. Review the editorial testing standards before relying on a formula in a critical workbook.