How to Type a Degree Sign on Any Keyboard (°)

The degree symbol (°) doesn't have its own dedicated key on most keyboards — but that doesn't mean it's hard to type. Whether you're writing about temperature, angles, or coordinates, there are several reliable ways to insert it depending on your device and operating system.

Why There's No Dedicated Degree Key

Standard keyboard layouts — both physical and virtual — follow designs optimized for the most frequently used characters. The degree symbol is common enough to need regularly, but not so common that it earned its own key. Instead, it lives inside keyboard shortcut systems, character maps, and Unicode input methods that vary by platform.

Understanding which method works for you depends on a few things: your operating system, your keyboard layout, whether you're on a desktop or mobile device, and what application you're typing in.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows ⌨️

Windows gives you several options, and they behave slightly differently depending on your setup.

Alt Code (Numpad Required)

The classic Windows method uses Alt codes:

• Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt
• The ° symbol appears

This only works if you have a physical numeric keypad (the number cluster on the right side of full-size keyboards). Laptop keyboards without a dedicated numpad won't produce the correct result using the top number row.

Character Map

If you don't have a numpad:

1. Open the Start menu and search Character Map
2. Find the degree symbol (°)
3. Click Copy, then paste it where needed

Windows Emoji & Symbol Panel

Press Win + . (Windows key + period) to open the emoji and symbols panel. Switch to the Omega (Ω) symbols tab and search for "degree" to find and insert it directly.

Copy-Paste from Unicode

The degree symbol's Unicode value is U+00B0. In some applications (like Microsoft Word), you can type 00B0 then press Alt + X to convert it automatically.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac

Mac keyboards offer a more consistent shortcut regardless of whether you have a numpad.

• Press Option + Shift + 8 — this inserts ° directly in most apps

This shortcut works system-wide in standard macOS apps. If you're in an application that overrides keyboard shortcuts, you may need to use the Character Viewer instead:

1. Go to Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space)
2. Search "degree"
3. Double-click to insert

How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and Android 📱

Mobile keyboards don't show the degree symbol by default, but it's accessible without any special settings.

On iPhone (iOS):

• Open the numeric keyboard by tapping 123
• Long-press the 0 (zero) key
• The ° symbol appears as a pop-up option — slide to it and release

On Android:

• Tap to open the numeric keyboard (?123 or similar)
• Long-press 0
• Select ° from the options that appear

The exact behavior can vary slightly between keyboard apps (Gboard, SwiftKey, Samsung Keyboard), but the long-press-zero method works across most of them.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Chromebook

Chromebooks don't support Alt codes the same way Windows does. Instead:

• Use the Unicode input method: Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter
• Or copy the symbol from a web page and paste it where needed

Some Chromebooks with the virtual keyboard can also long-press the zero key, similar to mobile behavior.

Application-Specific Shortcuts

Some apps have their own insertion tools that bypass OS-level shortcuts:

If you regularly type the degree symbol in a specific app, checking that app's own symbol insertion tools is often the most reliable path.

The Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You

Not every method works in every situation, and a few factors shape which approach is actually practical:

• Keyboard type: Full-size keyboards with numpads open up Alt code shortcuts. Compact and laptop keyboards generally don't support them reliably.
• Operating system version: Older Windows versions may not have the Win + . panel. Older macOS versions may route Option + Shift + 8 differently in some apps.
• Input language settings: Non-English keyboard layouts sometimes map symbols differently. A French AZERTY or German QWERTZ layout may produce unexpected results with the same shortcuts.
• Application behavior: Some apps intercept keyboard shortcuts before the OS processes them, meaning a shortcut that works in Notepad might not work in a specialized editor or browser text field.
• Virtual vs. physical keyboard: Mobile and touchscreen keyboard apps each handle long-press pop-ups independently — the zero-key method is common but not universal across all third-party keyboard apps. 🔎

Someone typing temperature readings into Excel daily has different needs than someone occasionally jotting coordinates in a notes app. The right method for one setup may be an unnecessary workaround for another.