How to Type the Degree Symbol on Any Device
The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters you need constantly — temperatures, angles, coordinates — but it hides just outside the standard keyboard layout. Whether you're on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or working inside a specific app, the method varies enough that knowing your options saves real frustration.
What the Degree Symbol Actually Is
The degree symbol isn't just a tiny superscript "o." It's a distinct Unicode character: U+00B0, officially named DEGREE SIGN. That matters because copy-pasting a lookalike (like a masculine ordinal indicator, º) can cause problems in technical documents, code, or data entry fields. Using the correct character keeps formatting consistent across platforms.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows
Windows gives you several reliable routes depending on how fast you need it.
Alt code method: Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the top-row numbers), then release Alt. The ° symbol appears. This requires Num Lock to be on and a full keyboard with a number pad — so it won't work on most laptop keyboards without a workaround.
Character Map: Search "Character Map" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, click Copy, then paste it where needed. Slower, but always available.
Copy from a search or document: Type "degree symbol" into your browser's address bar. Most search engines display it immediately. Copy and paste.
Windows touch keyboard: On touchscreen Windows devices, tap the &123 key, then look for the degree symbol in the symbols panel.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac
Mac makes this straightforward with a single keyboard shortcut:
Option + Shift + 8 = °
That combination works system-wide — in documents, browsers, text fields, and most apps. It's worth memorizing if you use a Mac regularly.
Alternatively, Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or Control + Command + Space) opens the character viewer. Search "degree" and double-click to insert.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad 📱
iOS hides the degree symbol under a long-press gesture:
- Open any text field and bring up the keyboard
- Long-press the 0 (zero) key
- The degree symbol ° appears as a pop-up option
- Slide your finger to it and release
No third-party apps or settings changes required — it works in Messages, Notes, Mail, and most other apps. The character is also accessible through the 123 panel followed by the symbols screen, though the long-press route is faster.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android
Android behavior varies slightly depending on the manufacturer's keyboard (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, SwiftKey, etc.), but the general approach is consistent:
On Gboard:
- Tap ?123 to switch to the numbers/symbols view
- Tap =< to access the extended symbols
- The degree symbol ° appears in that panel
Long-press shortcut (on most keyboards): Long-press the 0 key — similar to iOS — and the degree symbol often appears as an option.
If your keyboard doesn't surface it easily, searching "degree symbol" in Chrome or any browser and copying the result takes under ten seconds.
Degree Symbol in Specific Apps and Environments 🖥️
Context changes the method:
| Environment | Best Method |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Insert > Symbol, or Alt+0176 |
| Google Docs | Insert > Special Characters > search "degree" |
| Excel | Alt+0176 (numeric keypad) |
| HTML | Use ° or ° |
| CSS/code editors | Paste the Unicode character directly, or use 0B0 |
| LaTeX | Use degree (with the gensymb package) or ^{circ} |
In HTML, using the named entity ° is generally preferred over pasting the raw character, since it's explicit and won't break if file encoding shifts.
In LaTeX, the right command depends on the document class and packages loaded — ^{circ} works universally, but dedicated packages give cleaner output for technical documents.
Variables That Change Which Method Works Best
Not every method is equally practical for every user:
Keyboard type: Full desktop keyboards with a number pad support the Alt code method. Compact laptop keyboards often don't, making shortcuts like Option+Shift+8 (Mac) or the character viewer more practical.
Typing frequency: If you type the degree symbol dozens of times a day, a keyboard shortcut or text expansion tool (like assigning deg to auto-replace with °) is worth setting up. Occasional users are better served by copy-paste.
Operating system version: Keyboard layouts and character panels have changed across OS versions. Older Windows or Android versions may not surface the symbol in the same locations described here.
App or software context: A general text field, a spreadsheet cell, an HTML file, and a LaTeX document each have different best practices. The raw ° character works in most places, but coded alternatives (HTML entities, LaTeX commands) are more appropriate in structured or programmatic environments.
Input method: Voice input on both iOS and Android will insert the degree symbol if you say "degree sign" — useful for hands-free workflows, though results vary by app.
When the Wrong Character Causes Problems ⚠️
The degree symbol is frequently confused with two similar-looking characters:
- Masculine ordinal indicator (º) — looks nearly identical but is a different Unicode point (U+00BA), used in Spanish and Portuguese for ordinals (1º, 2º)
- Superscript letter o — sometimes used in casual typing but not a standard character for degree notation
In technical, scientific, or data-heavy work, using the actual degree sign (U+00B0) matters. In informal writing — a quick text or social post — the distinction rarely affects anything.
The right method depends entirely on your device, your keyboard, how often you need the symbol, and what you're writing in. Each of those variables points toward a different approach.