How to Make a Degree Symbol on Any Device
The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on a standard keyboard but shows up constantly — in temperature readings, geographic coordinates, angles in math and physics, and even cooking instructions. The good news: every major platform has a way to produce it. The method that works best for you depends heavily on what device you're using and how often you need it.
Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard
Standard QWERTY keyboards were designed around the most frequently typed characters in everyday writing. Symbols like °, ©, and ½ didn't make the cut for dedicated keys. Instead, operating systems and apps route these characters through alternate input methods — keyboard shortcuts, character maps, autocorrect substitutions, or special key combinations.
Understanding which method applies to your situation is the whole puzzle.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows
Windows offers several approaches, and they work differently depending on whether you have a full keyboard with a numeric keypad.
Using Alt codes (numeric keypad required): Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The ° symbol appears. This only works with the dedicated number pad — not the row of numbers across the top of your keyboard.
Using the Character Map: Search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, and copy it. Useful if you need it occasionally and don't want to memorize a shortcut.
Using Windows emoji/symbol panel: Press Windows key + period (.) to open the symbol picker. Navigate to the symbols section and you'll find ° there. This works across most modern Windows 10 and 11 applications.
Typing the Unicode value directly: In some applications (particularly Microsoft Word), you can type 00B0 followed by Alt + X and it converts to °.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac
Mac shortcuts tend to be more consistent across applications.
The standard shortcut: Press Option + Shift + 8 — this produces the ° symbol instantly in virtually any Mac application.
Using the Character Viewer: Go to Edit → Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space) to open the character picker. Search "degree" and it appears immediately.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad 📱
The degree symbol is tucked inside the iOS keyboard — no third-party tools needed.
- Open any text field and bring up the keyboard
- Tap the 123 key to switch to the numbers layout
- Press and hold the zero (0) key
- A small popup appears with the ° symbol — slide to it and release
This method works in Messages, Notes, Mail, and most other iOS apps. The hold-and-slide gesture is the same mechanic iOS uses for accented characters.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android
Android keyboard behavior varies more than iOS because different manufacturers and third-party keyboards handle symbol sets differently.
On Gboard (Google's keyboard): Switch to the numbers layout, then press ?123, then look for the ° symbol in the symbols panel. On some versions, you press and hold 0 similarly to iOS.
On Samsung keyboard: Tap Sym to reach the symbols layout — the degree symbol is usually visible without additional navigation.
If your specific keyboard doesn't surface it easily, copying the symbol from a web search and pasting it is a perfectly reasonable workaround until you find where your keyboard hides it.
How to Insert the Degree Symbol in Specific Applications
| Application | Method |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Alt + 0176, or Insert → Symbol |
| Google Docs | Insert → Special Characters → search "degree" |
| Excel | Alt + 0176 (Windows), or use CHAR(176) function |
| HTML/Web | Use the entity ° or the Unicode ° |
| LaTeX | Use $^{circ}$ or the degree command (with gensymb package) |
The HTML and LaTeX entries matter if you're building web content or academic documents — in those contexts, the how you insert the character affects rendering and accessibility, not just appearance.
The Variables That Change Your Best Option 🔧
Several factors shape which method is actually practical for you:
Frequency of use — If you type temperature values dozens of times a day, memorizing a keyboard shortcut pays off immediately. If you need it once a month, copy-paste or a character picker is just as efficient.
Keyboard type — A full desktop keyboard with a numeric keypad unlocks the Alt+0176 method on Windows. A laptop without a numpad makes that approach awkward or impossible, pushing you toward other shortcuts.
Application context — A shortcut that works in Word may not work in a browser form field, a design tool, or a terminal window. HTML developers have a different best practice than spreadsheet users.
Mobile vs. desktop — Touch keyboard layouts are designed differently than physical keyboards, so the mobile methods are entirely their own category.
Operating system version — Older Windows versions may not have the Windows+Period emoji panel. Older Android versions may have different keyboard symbol layouts depending on what's installed.
When Autocorrect Can Do the Work
Many word processors and email clients can be configured to automatically replace a typed shortcut with °. In Microsoft Word, AutoCorrect can be set to replace something like deg with °. Google Docs has a similar substitution feature under Tools → Preferences.
This approach makes the most sense if you're working heavily within one application and want a frictionless workflow — but it won't carry over to browsers, messaging apps, or other environments where that autocorrect rule doesn't exist.
The right method for typing the degree symbol ultimately comes down to where you spend most of your time, what hardware you're working with, and whether you need a repeatable shortcut or just an occasional solution — and that combination looks different for every setup.