How to Make a Degree Sign on Any Device or Keyboard
The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters you need occasionally but can never quite remember how to type. Whether you're writing about temperature, geographic coordinates, or angles in math, knowing a few reliable methods saves you from copy-pasting every time. Here's how it works across every major platform.
Why the Degree Sign Isn't on Standard Keyboards
Most physical keyboards follow a layout designed for everyday writing — letters, numbers, and common punctuation. Specialty characters like °, ©, or ™ didn't make the cut for dedicated keys. Instead, operating systems and apps provide several workarounds: keyboard shortcuts, Unicode input, character maps, and autocorrect or symbol menus.
Which method works best depends on your device, OS, and how often you need the character.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows
Windows offers multiple approaches depending on your situation.
Alt Code (Numeric Keypad Required)
Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the top-row number keys), then release Alt. The ° symbol appears in most text fields. This only works if your keyboard has a dedicated numpad and Num Lock is on.
Unicode Input (Word and Some Apps)
In Microsoft Word, type 00B0, then immediately press Alt + X. Word converts the Unicode code point into the degree symbol. This method is specific to Word and a handful of other Microsoft apps — it won't work in a browser address bar or most other programs.
Character Map Utility
Search for Character Map in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, click Copy, and paste it wherever you need it. Slower, but works anywhere.
Windows Touch Keyboard
On touchscreen Windows devices, open the touch keyboard and hold the 0 key. A pop-up of related symbols appears, including °.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac
Mac shortcuts are more consistent across apps than Windows.
Standard Shortcut
Press Option + Shift + 8. This works system-wide — in browsers, text editors, email, word processors, and most other apps. It's the fastest method on macOS once you memorize it.
Character Viewer
Go to Edit > Emoji & Symbols (or press Control + Command + Space) to open the Character Viewer. Search "degree" and double-click to insert it. Useful if you occasionally need other special characters alongside the degree sign.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad 📱
No shortcut required — it's built into the keyboard.
Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on the iOS keyboard. A small pop-up appears with the ° symbol. Slide your finger to it and release. This works in any text field on iOS or iPadOS.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android
The exact steps vary slightly by keyboard app (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, SwiftKey, etc.), but the general approach is consistent.
On most Android keyboards, switch to the numeric/symbol view by tapping ?123 or a similar key. Then look for the degree symbol directly, or long-press the 0 key, which reveals ° as an alternate character on many keyboard apps. Some keyboards place it in a secondary symbols layer instead.
If your specific keyboard doesn't surface it easily, any clipboard-based method — copying ° from a note or web page — works universally.
How to Type the Degree Symbol in Specific Software
| Platform / App | Method |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word (Windows) | Alt + 0176 or 00B0 → Alt+X |
| Microsoft Word (Mac) | Option + Shift + 8 |
| Google Docs | Insert > Special Characters > search "degree" |
| Excel | Alt + 0176 (Windows) or Option+Shift+8 (Mac) |
| HTML / Web Code | Use ° or ° |
| LaTeX | Use ^{circ} inside math mode |
A Note on HTML and Web Publishing
If you're writing code or publishing to the web, don't rely on pasting the ° character directly — encoding issues can corrupt it. Use the HTML entity ° instead. It renders correctly across all browsers and character sets.
The Unicode Background Worth Knowing 🔢
The degree symbol has a fixed position in Unicode: U+00B0. This means it's the same character across operating systems, fonts, and languages. When you type it on a Mac and someone reads it on Windows, it looks the same. The variation you sometimes see — ° looking slightly different — comes from font rendering, not a different character.
There's also a visually similar character, the degree Celsius symbol (℃, U+2103) and degree Fahrenheit (℉, U+2109), which are technically separate Unicode characters. Most style guides and technical standards recommend using the plain ° combined with C or F (e.g., 100°C) rather than the combined symbols, but some publishing contexts have specific requirements.
The Variables That Shape Which Method Works for You
The "right" method isn't universal — it depends on:
- How often you type it: A daily need justifies memorizing a shortcut; occasional use might mean sticking to copy-paste
- Your keyboard hardware: A laptop without a numpad rules out Windows Alt codes
- Which app you're in: Unicode input in Word doesn't help you in a browser
- Your OS version: Older Android or Windows versions may have slightly different keyboard behavior
- Touch vs. physical keyboard: Mobile long-press methods don't apply to desktop setups
Someone writing scientific papers in Word has a different optimal workflow than someone who needs the symbol once a month in a chat app. The methods are all reliable — what varies is which one fits into your existing typing habits and tools.