How to Type the Degree Symbol on Any Device
The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that looks simple but hides in a different place on every device and platform. Whether you're writing about temperature, angles, coordinates, or compass bearings, knowing where to find it saves real frustration — and the method varies more than most people expect.
What the Degree Symbol Actually Is
The degree symbol is a Unicode character with the code point U+00B0. It's distinct from the masculine ordinal indicator (º) and the ring above diacritic (˚), which look nearly identical but behave differently in documents and code. When precision matters — scientific writing, data entry, or publishing — using the correct character is worth the extra step.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows
Windows offers several methods depending on how you're working:
Using a keyboard shortcut (numeric keypad required): Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. This only works with the dedicated number pad, not the number row at the top of the keyboard. It also requires Num Lock to be on.
Using the Character Map: Open the Start menu, search for Character Map, find the degree symbol, and copy it to your clipboard. Reliable, but slow for repeated use.
Using a touch keyboard or emoji panel: Press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji and symbols panel. Navigate to the symbols section — the degree symbol is listed there.
Typing the Unicode code point directly: In some apps (notably Microsoft Word), you can type 00B0 and then press Alt + X to convert it to the degree symbol inline.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac
Mac keeps this one relatively straightforward:
- Press Shift + Option + 8 — this inserts the degree symbol directly in most apps.
If you're in an app that supports the special characters viewer, you can also go to Edit → Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space) and search for "degree."
How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad 📱
On iOS and iPadOS, the degree symbol isn't visible on the default keyboard, but it's accessible without switching layouts:
- Open the number pad by tapping 123
- Long-press (press and hold) the 0 key
- A pop-up will appear with the degree symbol (°) as an option
- Slide to it and release
This works in virtually every text input field across iOS.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android
Android behavior varies by keyboard app and manufacturer skin, but the most common method is:
- Switch to the number/symbol keyboard by tapping ?123 or sym
- Long-press the 0 key — on most keyboards this surfaces the degree symbol
If that doesn't work on your specific keyboard, look for a symbols or special characters section. Gboard, for example, long-presses on the 0 key to expose the degree symbol. Third-party keyboards may place it differently or require you to search in a character picker.
How to Insert the Degree Symbol in Specific Apps
The right method also depends on where you're typing:
| Platform / App | Method |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word (Windows) | Alt + 0176, or type 00B0 then Alt + X |
| Microsoft Word (Mac) | Shift + Option + 8 |
| Google Docs | Insert → Special Characters → search "degree" |
| Excel | Alt + 0176 (Windows), or insert via Symbol dialog |
| HTML/web code | Use the entity ° or ° |
| LaTeX | Use degree (with the gensymb package) or ^circ |
| CSS | Use the Unicode value 0B0 in content strings |
The Variables That Change Your Experience
Several factors determine which method will actually work for you:
Keyboard hardware — Desktop keyboards with a full numeric keypad support Alt codes that laptops without one cannot use. Compact and 60% keyboards often omit the numpad entirely.
Operating system version — Older versions of Windows and macOS may not have the emoji/symbol panel shortcuts. The Windows emoji panel (Win + .) was added in Windows 10 version 1709; older installs won't have it.
Keyboard app on mobile — iOS is relatively consistent. Android is not. Gboard, SwiftKey, Samsung Keyboard, and others each handle long-press characters and symbol layouts differently. A method that works immediately on one Android phone may not exist in the same form on another.
Application behavior — Some apps intercept or ignore keyboard shortcuts. Web-based apps, browser input fields, and specialized tools (like IDEs or design software) sometimes have their own character input behaviors that override system shortcuts. The HTML entity ° works in markup but types literally in plain text editors.
Input language and locale settings — Certain keyboard layouts and regional input methods reorganize special character access. If you're using a non-US keyboard layout, the position of modifier keys and symbol layers may shift these shortcuts.
When Copy-Paste Is the Practical Answer 🔍
For occasional use across any device or platform, copying the symbol directly — from this article, from a Unicode reference, or from a search result — is genuinely the most reliable method. There's no shame in it. For frequent use, it's worth spending five minutes learning the shortcut native to your primary device, then keeping a note somewhere for the others.
The gap that remains is specific to your setup: which device you use most, whether you have a full keyboard, which apps you write in, and how often you actually need the symbol. Each of those details shifts which method is the cleanest fit.