How to Make a Degree Symbol on Any Keyboard (Windows, Mac, iPhone & Android)

The degree symbol — ° — is one of those characters that almost everyone needs occasionally but almost no keyboard prints on a key. Whether you're typing a temperature, a geographic coordinate, or an angle measurement, knowing where it hides across different devices saves real frustration.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Standard Keyboards

Most physical keyboards follow layouts — primarily QWERTY — designed decades ago for typing prose and numbers. Special characters like °, ©, or ½ didn't make the cut for dedicated keys. Instead, operating systems route them through keyboard shortcuts, Unicode input, character maps, or on-screen keyboards, depending on the platform.

The method that works for you depends on three things: your operating system, your keyboard type (full-size with numpad vs. compact), and your use frequency. Someone who types temperatures dozens of times a day has different needs than someone who needs it once a month in a document.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows 🖥️

Windows offers several routes:

Using the Numeric Keypad (Alt Code)

If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, this is the fastest method:

• Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numpad, then release Alt.
• The ° symbol appears where your cursor sits.

This only works with the numpad — the number row across the top of your keyboard won't trigger it.

Using the Character Map

• Open Start, search for Character Map.
• Find the degree symbol, click Copy, then paste it.

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

Using Windows Emoji Panel

• Press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji and symbols panel.
• Switch to the Symbols tab and look under Supplemental Symbols or search "degree."

Keyboard Shortcut in Specific Apps

Some apps like Microsoft Word recognize:

• AutoCorrect: Word may auto-convert typed sequences if configured.
• Insert > Symbol menu: Browse and insert directly.

Unicode Input (Advanced)

In some applications, you can type 00B0, then press Alt + X to convert it to °. This is app-dependent — it works in Word but not universally across Windows.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac 🍎

Mac makes this straightforward:

• Press Option + Shift + 8 anywhere in macOS.

That's it. It works system-wide — in browsers, text editors, email clients, and almost every other app. No app-specific settings needed.

Alternatively:

• Open Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space) to bring up the character viewer. Search "degree" and double-click to insert.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and Android

iPhone / iPad

On the iOS keyboard:

• Tap and hold the zero (0) key.
• A popup appears with the degree symbol ° — slide to it and release.

This works in any app using the standard iOS keyboard.

Android

Android varies more by manufacturer and keyboard app, but on most devices:

• Tap and hold the zero (0) key on the default keyboard — the degree symbol often appears in the popup.
• Alternatively, tap the ?123 key to switch to the symbols keyboard. On some layouts, ° appears directly; on others, look under a secondary symbols page (=< or similar).

Third-party keyboards like Gboard also let you long-press 0 to access the degree symbol on Android.

Quick Reference by Platform

The Copy-Paste Option Always Works

When nothing else is convenient, copy the symbol directly — ° — and paste it wherever you need it. Bookmarking a reference page or keeping it in a notes app is a surprisingly practical solution for infrequent use.

Variables That Affect Which Method Works Best for You

Not every method is equally practical depending on your setup:

• Keyboard size: Compact and laptop keyboards often lack a dedicated numpad, which eliminates Alt codes on Windows entirely.
• Operating system version: Older Windows versions may not have the emoji panel (introduced in Windows 10). Older macOS versions use the same shortcut but the character viewer interface differs slightly.
• Input app or software: Unicode Alt+X conversion works in Word but fails in browsers, plain text editors, or many web forms.
• Keyboard app on mobile: Android's fragmentation means behavior varies between Samsung's default keyboard, Gboard, SwiftKey, and others.
• Use frequency: Someone embedding temperatures into spreadsheets daily may benefit from setting up an AutoCorrect rule or a text expansion tool like PhraseExpress or AutoHotkey on Windows, which can substitute a short typed sequence (like *deg) with ° automatically.

A Note on Similar-Looking Symbols

It's worth knowing the degree symbol (°, Unicode U+00B0) is distinct from two look-alikes:

• The masculine ordinal indicator (º) — visually similar but used in Spanish/Portuguese text.
• The ring above diacritic (˚) — used in some phonetic contexts.

For temperature, angles, and coordinates, U+00B0 is the correct character. Most shortcuts listed above produce this exact symbol, but if you're copying from an unknown source and formatting looks off, it's worth confirming the character in a Unicode checker.

The right method ultimately comes down to what device and keyboard you're working with — and whether this is a one-time need or something that shows up in your workflow regularly enough to justify setting up a faster shortcut.