How to Type a Degree Symbol on Any Device

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on any standard keyboard key — yet it shows up constantly in temperature readings, geographic coordinates, angles, and academic writing. Knowing how to type it quickly depends heavily on which device and operating system you're using, and sometimes even which application you're working in.

What the Degree Symbol Actually Is

Before getting into methods, it helps to know what you're dealing with technically. The degree symbol is a Unicode character with the code point U+00B0. It also has an ASCII value of 248 (in extended ASCII) and an HTML entity of ° or °. Most modern operating systems, applications, and web platforms support it natively — the challenge is just reaching it efficiently.

It's worth distinguishing the degree symbol (°) from two similar-looking characters:

• Masculine ordinal indicator (º) — used in some Romance languages, looks nearly identical
• Superscript zero (⁰) — a formatting variant, not the same character

Using the wrong one in scientific or technical writing can cause problems, especially if the document is parsed by software.

Typing the Degree Symbol on Windows

Windows offers several methods, and the right one depends on your workflow.

Alt Code Method If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, this is the fastest option:

1. Hold Alt
2. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the top row number keys)
3. Release Alt

The ° symbol appears immediately. This only works with Num Lock active and on keyboards that have a dedicated numeric pad.

Character Map Search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, and copy it. Slow for regular use, but reliable as a fallback.

Windows Emoji Panel Press Win + . (period) to open the emoji and symbol panel. Search "degree" and click to insert. This works in most apps including browsers and word processors.

Word and Outlook Shortcut In Microsoft Word specifically, you can type 2109 then press Alt + X to convert the Unicode code point into the symbol. This is application-specific and won't work in plain text fields.

Typing the Degree Symbol on Mac

Mac users have a more consistent experience across apps.

Keyboard Shortcut The universal shortcut on macOS is:

• Option + Shift + 8

This works in virtually every native Mac application — Notes, Pages, TextEdit, Safari address bar, and most third-party apps.

Character Viewer Go to Edit > Emoji & Symbols in most Mac apps, or press Control + Command + Space. Search "degree" to find and insert the symbol. macOS also lets you add frequently used symbols to a Favorites panel for faster access.

Typing the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad

On iOS, the degree symbol is tucked inside the number keyboard:

1. Tap the 123 key to switch to numbers
2. Press and hold the zero (0) key
3. A popover will appear with the degree symbol (°)
4. Slide your finger to it and release

This gesture works across iOS system apps and most third-party keyboards. Some third-party keyboard apps (like Gboard or SwiftKey) may handle this differently or offer a dedicated symbols panel.

Typing the Degree Symbol on Android

Android's implementation varies more than iOS because keyboard apps differ significantly across manufacturers and user preferences.

Gboard (Google's default keyboard):

1. Tap ?123 to enter the number layout
2. Tap =< for additional symbols
3. Find the ° symbol in the character grid

Samsung keyboard:

1. Tap the number/symbol key
2. Long-press certain characters or look in the extended symbol rows

On Android, the exact path depends on which keyboard app is installed, which version of Android you're running, and even manufacturer customizations layered on top of Android. What works on a Pixel may look different on a Galaxy device.

Typing the Degree Symbol in Specific Applications 🖥️

Google Docs is worth calling out specifically: because it runs in a browser, OS-level keyboard shortcuts don't always pass through cleanly. The Insert > Special Characters menu is the most reliable method regardless of which OS you're on.

When Copy-Paste Is the Right Answer 🔍

For many users — particularly those who only need the degree symbol occasionally — the simplest method is to copy it directly: °

Paste it wherever you need it. If you work in a tool that supports text snippets or autocorrect, you can set up a custom shortcut (like typing deg/ or *deg*) to auto-expand to °. Apps like TextExpander (Mac/Windows), AutoHotkey (Windows), or the built-in text replacement settings on iOS and Android all support this approach.

The Variables That Shape Your Best Method ⌨️

There's no single "best" way to type a degree symbol — the right method depends on several factors that vary by person:

• Which OS you use (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, ChromeOS)
• Whether your keyboard has a numeric keypad (affects Alt code viability on Windows)
• Which application you work in most (browser-based tools behave differently than native desktop apps)
• How often you need the symbol (occasional users vs. those typing temperatures or angles constantly)
• Which keyboard app is installed on mobile devices

Someone writing academic papers on a MacBook has a completely different optimal workflow than a warehouse manager updating temperatures in a mobile Android app or a web developer hardcoding values into HTML. The methods exist across that entire spectrum — matching the right one to your actual setup is what makes the difference between a two-second habit and a recurring frustration.