How to Make a Degree Sign on a Keyboard (Every Method Explained)

The degree symbol — ° — is one of those characters that doesn't live on any standard key, yet people need it constantly for temperatures, angles, coordinates, and academic writing. The good news: there's no shortage of ways to type it. The catch is that the best method depends heavily on your operating system, keyboard layout, and how often you actually need it.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on a Standard Keyboard

Most keyboards follow the QWERTY layout, which was designed around the most frequently typed characters in English. The degree symbol (Unicode character U+00B0) didn't make the cut. It lives in the extended character set, which means accessing it requires either a shortcut, a special input method, or copy-paste.

That said, some international keyboard layouts — particularly certain European configurations — do include it as a shifted or alt-modified character. If you're using a regional layout, check whether it's already mapped somewhere you haven't noticed.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Windows

Windows offers several approaches, and they work differently depending on the application you're in.

Using Alt Codes (Numeric Keypad Required)

The classic Windows method uses Alt codes:

• Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt
• Result: °

This only works with the dedicated numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard), and Num Lock must be on. On a laptop without a numpad, this method either won't work or requires activating a software numpad overlay — which varies by manufacturer.

Using the Character Map

Character Map is a built-in Windows utility:

1. Open the Start menu and search for "Character Map"
2. Find the degree symbol (°)
3. Click Copy, then paste it into your document

Slow for regular use, but reliable for one-off needs.

Using a Keyboard Shortcut in Specific Apps

Some Windows applications have their own shortcuts:

• Microsoft Word: Type 00B0, then press Alt + X — Word converts it to °
• Google Docs on Windows: Insert → Special characters → search "degree"

Windows 10/11 Emoji Panel

Press Win + . (period) to open the emoji and symbols panel. Search for "degree" and insert it directly. This works in most text fields across the OS.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Mac 🍎

Mac makes this considerably more straightforward:

• Press Shift + Option + 8
• Result: °

This works system-wide — in any text field, any app, any browser. It's consistent and fast once you've memorized it. No special keyboard mode needed.

How to Type the Degree Sign on iPhone and iPad

On iOS, the degree symbol is hidden in plain sight:

1. Open the keyboard
2. Long-press the 0 (zero) key
3. A pop-up appears — slide to the ° symbol

This works in any app that uses the standard iOS keyboard. It's quick once you know it exists.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Android

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

1. Tap the ?123 key to access the symbols layout
2. Look for ° directly, or tap =< for extended symbols where it often appears

On Gboard (Google's keyboard):

• Long-press the 0 key — similar to iOS, it surfaces the degree symbol

Third-party keyboards like SwiftKey or Fleksy may handle this differently.

How to Type the Degree Sign in Linux

Linux users have a couple of reliable options:

• Compose key method: If a Compose key is configured, press Compose + o + o
• Unicode entry: Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter

The Compose key method requires prior setup in your keyboard settings, but once configured it's fast. The Unicode entry method works in most GTK applications without any configuration.

Quick Comparison by Platform

Copy-Paste as a Universal Fallback

When nothing else works: °

You can copy that symbol right now and paste it anywhere. For users who only occasionally need the degree sign, bookmarking a Unicode reference page or keeping it in a notes app is a perfectly practical solution.

When Workflow Matters More Than a Shortcut

If you're typing temperatures or coordinates frequently, the right solution shifts. Power users often create text expansion rules — tools like AutoHotkey on Windows, Keyboard Maestro on Mac, or the built-in text replacement settings on iOS/Android let you type something like *deg* and have it automatically replaced with °.

That approach makes sense for someone writing scientific documents or data tables daily. For someone who needs the symbol once a month, a shortcut or copy-paste is more than enough. ⌨️

The method that's genuinely most convenient comes down to which device you're on, how often the need arises, and whether you're working in a specific application with its own input tools — which is why no single answer fits everyone's workflow the same way.