12
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.
- Exponent form
- 1/2
- Power check
- 144
- Root type
- square root
Steps
- Start with the square root of 144.
- Rewrite the root as a rational exponent: 144^(1/2).
- That exponent is 0.5.
- The answer is 12, because 12^2 returns 144.
How to use the root calculator
- Enter the radicand, which is the value inside the root.
- Enter a whole-number root index, such as 2 for square root or 3 for cube root.
- Press Calculate root to see the answer, exponent form, power check, and steps.
- Use examples, recent answers, or copy the answer while checking root problems.
Common uses
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.
Examples
-5
3
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.
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.