How to Make the Degree Sign on a Keyboard (Every Platform Covered)

The degree symbol — ° — is one of those characters that almost everyone needs occasionally but few people know how to type quickly. Whether you're writing about temperatures, geographic coordinates, or angles, it doesn't appear on any standard keyboard key. That doesn't mean it's hard to produce. It just means the method depends entirely on which device and operating system you're using.

Why the Degree Sign Isn't on Your Keyboard

Standard keyboards follow a layout designed decades ago, optimized for the most frequently typed characters in everyday writing. Symbols used occasionally — like °, ©, or £ — were left off physical keys to keep things manageable. Instead, operating systems provide several workarounds: keyboard shortcuts, Unicode input, character maps, and autocorrect/text replacement.

Which method works best for you depends on your OS, your keyboard type, and how often you need the symbol.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Windows

Windows gives you multiple routes depending on your comfort level.

Using Alt Codes (Numeric Keypad Required)

The most widely known Windows method is the Alt code:

1. Make sure Num Lock is on
2. Hold Alt
3. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad
4. Release Alt — ° appears

This only works with a dedicated numeric keypad, not the number row at the top of your keyboard. Laptop users without a numpad will need a different approach.

Using the Character Map App

Windows includes a built-in utility called Character Map:

1. Press Windows + S and search for "Character Map"
2. Find the degree symbol (°)
3. Click Select, then Copy
4. Paste it wherever you need it

Slow for frequent use, but reliable when shortcuts aren't an option.

Using Unicode Input in Some Apps

In certain applications (including Microsoft Word), you can type the Unicode code point directly:

1. Type 00B0
2. Immediately press Alt + X
3. The code converts to °

This method is application-dependent — it won't work in every text field.

Copy and Paste

When in doubt, simply search "degree symbol" in your browser and copy it from the results. Unglamorous, but it works everywhere.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Mac

Mac users have arguably the cleanest shortcut:

Option + Shift + 8 = °

That's it. It works system-wide across virtually every Mac application — browsers, word processors, email clients, notes apps. No mode switching, no numeric pad required.

Mac also includes the Character Viewer (formerly Special Characters) for browsing symbols:

1. Press Control + Command + Space
2. Search "degree"
3. Double-click the symbol to insert it

How to Type the Degree Sign on iPhone and iPad 📱

No shortcut needed on iOS — the degree symbol is built into the keyboard:

1. Open any text field and bring up the keyboard
2. Tap the 0 (zero) key and hold it
3. A pop-up appears with the ° symbol
4. Slide your finger to it and release

This works on the standard iOS keyboard without installing anything. If you miss it, make sure you're pressing the zero, not the letter O.

How to Type the Degree Sign on Android

Android keyboards vary by manufacturer and app, so the exact steps differ slightly — but the general approach is consistent:

1. Tap a text field to open the keyboard
2. Switch to the numbers/symbols view (usually by tapping ?123 or sym)
3. Look for ° directly in the symbol panel, or tap =< for extended symbols
4. On some keyboards, long-pressing 0 also reveals the degree symbol

If your default keyboard doesn't surface it easily, Gboard (Google's keyboard) and SwiftKey both include it in their symbol panels.

How to Type the Degree Sign in Google Docs and Microsoft Word

Both major word processors offer their own insertion methods beyond OS-level shortcuts.

Google Docs also supports autocorrect substitution — you can define a shortcut like (deg) to automatically expand to °.

Setting Up a Text Replacement Shortcut 🔧

For anyone who types the degree symbol regularly, setting up a text replacement rule is the most efficient long-term solution.

• Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements → add a trigger like deg → °
• Windows: Some apps support this natively; third-party tools like AutoHotkey can handle it system-wide
• iPhone/iPad: Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
• Android (Gboard): Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary

Once configured, you type your trigger text and the symbol appears automatically — no memorizing shortcuts required.

The Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You

Not every method is equally accessible across setups:

• Laptop users on Windows typically can't use Alt codes without an external numpad or enabling a software numpad
• Keyboard language/region settings can change which shortcuts are active
• Third-party or virtual keyboards on mobile may not support long-press symbol access the same way
• Browser-based apps sometimes intercept keyboard shortcuts before they reach the text field
• Accessibility software running in the background can occasionally conflict with Alt or Option key combinations

How often you need the degree symbol also matters. Occasional users are well-served by the long-press or copy-paste approach. Anyone writing technical documents, scientific reports, or temperature-heavy content regularly will benefit from a configured shortcut or text replacement rule.

The right method ultimately comes down to which device is in front of you, which OS it's running, and how often ° shows up in your workflow.