How to Make a Degree Symbol on a Computer Keyboard

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't have a dedicated key on any standard keyboard — yet it comes up constantly in temperature readings, geographic coordinates, angles, and scientific writing. The good news: every major operating system has at least one reliable way to produce it. The method that works best for you depends on your OS, your keyboard layout, and how often you need it.

Why There's No Dedicated Degree Key

Standard keyboards follow layouts — most commonly QWERTY — designed decades ago around the most frequently typed characters. Symbols like °, ©, and ™ didn't make the cut for physical keys. Instead, operating systems provide alternate input methods: keyboard shortcuts, character maps, numeric codes, and software-based workarounds. Each OS handles this differently.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows

Windows offers several approaches, and the right one depends on whether you have a full keyboard with a numeric keypad.

Using Alt Code (requires numeric keypad) Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. The ° symbol appears. This only works with the dedicated numpad — the number row across the top of the keyboard won't trigger it. Num Lock must also be active.

Using the Character Map Open the Start menu, search for Character Map, and launch the app. Find the degree symbol, click it, then copy and paste it wherever you need it. Slow, but reliable on any Windows machine.

Using Word's AutoCorrect or Insert Symbol In Microsoft Word, go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, find °, and insert it. You can also assign it a custom keyboard shortcut from within that dialog. Word also has an equation editor where ° appears naturally in temperature-related formatting.

Copy and Paste Paste this directly: ° — it works anywhere that accepts Unicode text, including browsers, email clients, and most apps.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on macOS

Mac keyboards make this straightforward.

Keyboard Shortcut Press Option + Shift + 8. That's it — ° appears immediately in any text field. This shortcut works system-wide, in any application.

This is the fastest method for Mac users and worth memorizing if you type temperatures or coordinates regularly.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Linux

Linux behavior varies depending on the desktop environment and keyboard layout configured at the system level.

Using Unicode Entry In many Linux environments, press Ctrl + Shift + U, release, type 00B0, then press Enter or Space. The Unicode codepoint for the degree symbol is U+00B0. This method works in GTK-based apps like those found in GNOME.

Using Compose Key If your system has a Compose key configured, the sequence is typically Compose + o + o (pressing the letter o twice after Compose). The Compose key itself isn't standard — it's usually assigned manually in keyboard settings to a key like Right Alt or Caps Lock.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Chromebooks

Chromebooks don't support Alt codes or macOS-style shortcuts natively, but there are practical options.

Using Unicode Input Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter. This mirrors the Linux method and works in most Chromebook text fields.

Copy and Paste The most frictionless option for occasional use — copy ° from a web page or keep it in a notes app for quick access.

Degree Symbol on Mobile Keyboards 📱

This isn't a keyboard article without addressing touchscreen devices, since many people now write on phones and tablets connected to Bluetooth keyboards.

On iOS and Android virtual keyboards, press and hold the 0 (zero) key. A popup appears with the ° symbol as an option. Lift your finger onto it to insert. Some third-party keyboards handle this differently, but the long-press-zero method is the most consistent across both platforms.

Quick Reference: Degree Symbol by Platform

A Few Variables Worth Knowing

Keyboard layout matters. If your system is configured for a non-English keyboard layout — French AZERTY, German QWERTZ, or others — shortcut combinations may differ. The degree symbol may even appear directly on a modifier key combination in some European layouts.

Numpad availability changes things on Windows. Compact laptops often omit the numeric keypad entirely, which makes the Alt+0176 method unavailable without an external keyboard. In that case, the Character Map or copy-paste approach fills the gap.

Context affects which method is practical. A data analyst entering hundreds of temperature values benefits from a keyboard shortcut or AutoHotkey script. Someone typing one degree symbol per week is better served by copy-paste. Repetitive use and occasional use point toward different solutions. 🖥️

Software can override system behavior. Applications like AutoHotkey on Windows let you assign any symbol to any key combination you define. Some text expanders (like TypeIt4Me on Mac or Espanso on Linux) let you trigger ° by typing a short text string like :deg.

The Part That Depends on Your Setup

The methods above all work — but which one is actually worth using depends on factors only you can assess: whether your keyboard has a numpad, how often you need the symbol, which OS you're on, and whether you're typing in a specialized app or a general text field. A shortcut that's second nature for a daily Mac user may be completely unavailable on a compact Windows laptop. Your workflow, your hardware, and how frequently this comes up in your writing are the variables that determine which approach fits. 🎯