How to Insert a Degree Symbol on Any Device
The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on any standard keyboard key — yet you need it constantly for temperatures, angles, coordinates, and academic writing. The good news: every major operating system has a way to insert it. The method that works best for you depends on your device, your software, and how often you actually need it.
Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Your Keyboard
Standard keyboard layouts follow the ASCII character set, which was designed for everyday English text. Special characters like °, ©, and ™ were left off physical keys to keep keyboards manageable. They're still fully supported by modern fonts and operating systems — they're just accessed differently depending on your platform.
The degree symbol has two common Unicode representations:
- ° (U+00B0) — the standard degree sign, used for temperatures and angles
- ᵒ (U+1D52) — a superscript "o" sometimes used informally, but not technically a degree symbol
Using the correct character matters for document formatting, search indexing, and data compatibility.
How to Insert a Degree Symbol on Windows 🖥️
Method 1: Alt Code (Numeric Keypad) Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The ° symbol appears at your cursor. This only works with the dedicated numeric keypad — the number row at the top of the keyboard won't trigger it.
Method 2: Character Map Open the Start menu, search for Character Map, find the degree symbol, and copy it to your clipboard. Reliable but slow for frequent use.
Method 3: Copy-Paste or AutoCorrect Copy the symbol once and paste it wherever needed. In Microsoft Word, you can also set up an AutoCorrect rule — for example, replacing deg with ° automatically every time you type it.
Method 4: Windows Emoji Panel Press Win + . (period) to open the emoji and symbols panel, then search for "degree." This works across most Windows 10 and Windows 11 applications.
How to Insert a Degree Symbol on Mac
Keyboard Shortcut: Press Option + Shift + 8. That's it — the degree symbol inserts instantly, no menu required. This shortcut works system-wide in nearly every Mac application.
If you're working in a specialized app that overrides shortcuts, you can also go to Edit → Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space) and search for "degree."
How to Insert a Degree Symbol on iPhone and Android 📱
On iPhone/iPad: Tap and hold the 0 (zero) key on the default keyboard. A pop-up appears with the degree symbol as one of the options. Slide your finger to it and release.
On Android: The location varies slightly by keyboard app and manufacturer:
- On Gboard: Tap the ?123 key, then tap and hold the 0 key — the degree symbol typically appears as an option.
- On Samsung keyboards: Switch to the symbols panel via !#1 and look in the secondary symbol rows.
- Some Android keyboards let you long-press characters for alternate versions, similar to iPhone.
If your keyboard doesn't surface it easily, copying from a reliable source and using clipboard paste is a fast workaround.
How to Insert a Degree Symbol in Specific Software
| Software | Method |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Alt+0176 (numpad) or Insert → Symbol |
| Google Docs | Insert → Special Characters → search "degree" |
| Excel | Alt+0176 in a cell while editing |
| HTML / Web | Use the entity ° or ° |
| LaTeX | Use degree (with the gensymb package) or ^{circ} |
| Photoshop / Illustrator | Glyphs panel or paste from clipboard |
In HTML and web development, never paste a raw symbol character directly into code if encoding isn't confirmed. Using the named entity ° is safer and universally supported across browsers.
Variables That Change Which Method Works Best
Not every method works in every context. A few factors shape which approach is actually practical:
Keyboard type: Laptops without a dedicated numeric keypad can't use Windows Alt codes in the traditional way. Some laptops simulate a numpad using Fn + letter keys, but the behavior varies by manufacturer.
Input language and layout: Non-English keyboard layouts may have different key positions or conflicting shortcuts. If you're using a French, German, or other localized layout, the Option+Shift+8 shortcut on Mac may produce a different result or require remapping.
Application behavior: Some software — particularly design tools, game clients, or terminal emulators — intercepts keyboard shortcuts before the OS processes them. The same shortcut that works in Word may do nothing in a different application.
Frequency of use: If you're typing temperatures in a document once a month, copy-paste is perfectly sufficient. If you're building a data entry form, a temperature-logging spreadsheet, or technical documentation, a keyboard shortcut or AutoCorrect rule pays off quickly.
Operating system version: Older versions of Windows and Android have fewer built-in symbol input tools. The emoji panel in Windows, for example, was introduced in Windows 10 version 1803.
When the "Easy" Method Isn't Available
Some locked-down environments — corporate machines, Chromebooks with restricted settings, web-only tools — limit what input methods you can use. In those cases:
- Unicode input: On some systems, you can type the Unicode code point directly. In Windows, type 00B0 then press Alt+X in certain applications (like Word) to convert it to °.
- Virtual keyboard: The on-screen keyboard in Windows (search "On-Screen Keyboard") includes a numeric pad that supports Alt codes even on laptops.
- Text expansion tools: Apps like AutoHotkey (Windows), Espanso (cross-platform), or Keyboard Maestro (Mac) let you define custom text shortcuts that work system-wide, regardless of the app you're in.
The right method isn't universal. What works seamlessly on one setup — a desktop with a full keyboard, a specific OS version, a particular app — may be awkward or unavailable on another. Your device, your keyboard layout, and the software you use daily all push toward different solutions.