How to Make a Degree Sign on Any Device or Keyboard

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that almost everyone needs at some point — whether you're writing about temperature, geographic coordinates, or angles — but it doesn't have a dedicated key on most keyboards. Here's exactly how to type it across every major platform, plus what to know when your method depends on your setup.

Why There's No Dedicated Degree Key

Standard keyboards are designed around the most frequently typed characters. Symbols like °, ©, or ™ didn't make the cut for physical keys, so they live in Unicode character sets accessed through shortcuts, special input methods, or copy-paste workflows. The degree sign has its own Unicode code point: U+00B0, which is what every shortcut or method ultimately calls up.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Windows

Windows gives you several routes depending on how you work.

Using Alt Code (Numeric Keypad Required)

Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt. The ° symbol appears. This only works if your keyboard has a dedicated numeric keypad and Num Lock is on.

Using Character Map

Open the Character Map app (search for it in the Start menu), find the degree symbol, and copy it. Slow, but reliable on any Windows machine.

Using Emoji & Symbol Panel

Press Windows key + period (.) to open the emoji and symbol panel. Switch to the Omega (Ω) symbols tab, search for "degree," and insert it directly into your document.

In Microsoft Word Only

Type 00B0, then immediately press Alt + X. Word converts the Unicode code point into the ° character on the spot.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Mac

Mac makes this relatively straightforward.

• Shift + Option + 8 inserts the degree symbol ° in most apps.
• Alternatively, open Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space) and search for "degree."

The Shift + Option + 8 shortcut works system-wide — in browsers, text editors, email clients, and word processors — without needing any special settings.

How to Type the Degree Sign on iPhone and iPad

On iOS and iPadOS, the degree symbol is tucked into the number and symbol keyboard.

1. Tap the 123 key to switch to the number keyboard.
2. Press and hold the 0 (zero) key.
3. A popup appears with the ° symbol — slide your finger to it and release.

This works in any text field across iOS, including messages, notes, and email.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Android

Android keyboards vary by manufacturer and app, but the most common path is:

1. Switch to the numbers/symbols keyboard (usually via a ?123 or !#1 key).
2. Look for a degree symbol directly, or press and hold 0 — many Android keyboards surface ° this way.

If your keyboard doesn't show it, Google Keyboard (Gboard) supports a long-press on 0 to reveal °. Third-party keyboards handle this differently, so your experience depends on which keyboard app is installed.

How to Insert the Degree Sign in Google Docs or Sheets

In Google Docs: Go to Insert > Special Characters, search for "degree," and click to insert.

In Google Sheets: The same Insert > Special Characters path works, or you can use the formula =CHAR(176) in any cell to output °.

You can also paste a degree symbol copied from anywhere — Google's apps accept it cleanly.

Quick Reference Table 🖥️

The Variables That Change Your Best Option

Several factors determine which method actually works for you:

• Keyboard type — Laptops without a numeric keypad rule out the Windows Alt code method entirely. External keyboards may or may not include a numpad.
• Operating system version — Older versions of Windows or macOS may not have the emoji panel or the same keyboard shortcut behavior.
• App or software context — The Alt + X trick in Word doesn't work in a browser or plain text editor. Character Map or copy-paste is more universal.
• Mobile keyboard app — On Android especially, the degree symbol's availability through long-press depends entirely on which keyboard you're using and its settings.
• Input language settings — Some language keyboards reorganize symbol layouts, which can move or hide the degree symbol's typical location.

When to Use ° vs. Degree Abbreviations

Worth knowing: the degree symbol ° is different from the masculine ordinal indicator º (U+00BA), which looks nearly identical but is a letter, not a symbol. Copy-pasting from unreliable sources can introduce the wrong character. If precision matters — in scientific writing, code, or published content — verify you've got the genuine degree sign (U+00B0). 🔍

The right method for typing ° really comes down to your specific device, keyboard layout, and which app you're working in — and those combinations produce meaningfully different answers for different people.