How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone: Every Method Explained

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters you rarely need — until you do. Whether you're texting about the weather, writing a recipe, or noting an angle in a technical document, knowing how to access it quickly saves real frustration. On iPhone, there are several ways to get there, and which one works best depends on how often you use it and what app you're typing in.

The Fastest Built-In Method: Long-Press the Zero Key

The quickest way to insert a degree symbol on iPhone requires no setup at all.

1. Open any app where you can type — Messages, Notes, Mail, etc.
2. Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard
3. Switch to the number keyboard by tapping the "123" key
4. Long-press (tap and hold) the zero key (0)
5. A small popup appears with the degree symbol (°)
6. Slide your finger onto it and release

That's it. The degree symbol is hidden under the zero key in every standard iOS keyboard layout. No third-party app, no settings menu, no workarounds.

This works system-wide across iOS — in Safari, Notes, Messages, Mail, and most third-party apps that use Apple's native keyboard.

Using the Globe/Emoji Keyboard

If you're already in the emoji keyboard, you can search directly for the degree symbol in iOS 14 and later:

1. Tap the globe icon or emoji icon on your keyboard
2. Use the search bar (available in recent iOS versions) and type "degree"
3. The degree symbol should appear as an option

This method is slightly slower than the long-press method, but useful if you're already browsing emoji or special characters.

Create a Text Replacement Shortcut ♻️

If you use the degree symbol frequently — say, you write about cooking, weather, or engineering regularly — setting up a text replacement shortcut in iOS Settings is worth the one-time setup.

How to set it up:

1. Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
2. Tap the + button in the top right
3. In the Phrase field, paste or type: °
4. In the Shortcut field, type something easy to remember — like deg or //deg
5. Tap Save

From that point on, any time you type your shortcut, iOS will automatically replace it with °. This works across almost all native apps and many third-party ones, though some apps with custom text engines (certain code editors, for example) may not honor it.

To paste the ° character into the Phrase field if you haven't memorized the long-press trick yet: use the long-press method in Notes first, copy it, then come back to Settings.

Copy and Paste from a Reference Document

A low-tech but reliable fallback: keep a note in the Notes app that contains the degree symbol. When you need it, open that note, copy the character, and paste it wherever you need it.

This isn't elegant, but it works 100% of the time in any app, regardless of iOS version. It's particularly useful on older iPhones running older iOS versions where keyboard behavior may differ slightly.

Does iOS Version or iPhone Model Affect This?

The long-press method has been available across iOS for many years and works on essentially all iPhones running modern iOS — from older devices still on iOS 13 or 14 through the latest releases. The keyboard layout for the number row is consistent.

A few variables that do matter:

If you use a third-party keyboard like Gboard or SwiftKey, the long-press method under the zero key may not apply. Gboard, for instance, has its own symbols menu accessible via a dedicated key. SwiftKey includes a symbols layer as well. Check your specific keyboard's documentation for where it hides less-common characters.

What About Accessibility or Voice Input?

If you use Siri dictation, saying "degree symbol" doesn't reliably produce the character — Siri tends to type the word "degree" rather than the symbol °. Dictation works well for common punctuation but is inconsistent with special characters. The long-press or shortcut methods are more dependable for this specific character.

For users who rely on accessibility features like Switch Control or Voice Control, the text replacement shortcut method is often the most friction-free approach, since it reduces the number of precise taps and holds required.

The Variables That Shape Your Best Approach

Which method becomes your go-to depends on a few things that are specific to your situation:

• How often you use the symbol — occasional users are fine with long-press; frequent users benefit from a shortcut
• Which keyboard you use — Apple's native keyboard vs. a third-party alternative changes what's available
• Which apps you type in most — text replacement works broadly but not universally
• Your iOS version — older versions may lack the emoji search path

The mechanics of getting to the degree symbol are simple once you know where to look. Whether the long-press shortcut fits naturally into how you type, or whether a text replacement makes more sense given how often you need it, comes down to your own typing habits and the apps you use most.