How to Make a Degree Symbol With Your Keyboard (Every Platform Covered)

The degree symbol — ° — is one of those characters that's used constantly in everyday writing (temperatures, angles, coordinates) yet isn't printed on a single key of a standard keyboard. That gap between how often you need it and how hidden it is trips up a surprising number of people. The good news: every major operating system has at least one reliable way to type it, and most have several.

What the Degree Symbol Actually Is (and Why It Matters)

The degree symbol is a distinct Unicode character (U+00B0), not a superscript letter O or a masculine ordinal indicator (°). Using the wrong character might look right on screen but will cause formatting problems in scientific documents, code, or when text is processed by other software. Getting the real character matters.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows

Windows gives you several methods depending on how you work.

Alt Code (Numpad Required)

The classic Windows shortcut uses the numeric keypad:

• Hold Alt, type 0176 on the numpad, release Alt

This only works with the dedicated numeric keypad — the number row at the top of your keyboard won't do it. If you're on a laptop without a numpad, this method isn't available to you unless you enable the hidden numpad layer (usually Fn + NumLock on compatible laptops).

Character Map

Go to Start → Windows Accessories → Character Map, search for "degree," select the symbol, and copy it. Useful if you only need it occasionally and don't want to memorize codes.

Copy-Paste Shortcut (Practical for Repeat Use)

Many Windows users simply type the degree symbol once, then keep it in a clipboard manager or text expander tool — so typing something like /deg auto-expands to °. This approach works across any application.

Microsoft Word Autocorrect

In Word specifically, you can insert it via Insert → Symbol, then assign it an autocorrect shortcut so that typing (d) or a similar trigger automatically converts to °.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac 🍎

Mac users have the easiest built-in shortcut:

• Option + Shift + 8

That's it. Works system-wide in virtually every app — notes, email, browsers, design software, code editors. No numpad needed, no menus required.

If you forget the shortcut, Edit → Emoji & Symbols (or Control + Command + Space) opens the character viewer where you can search "degree" and double-click to insert.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad

On iOS, the degree symbol is hidden in the long-press menu on the zero key:

• Open the keyboard, switch to the number layout (tap 123)
• Long-press the 0 key
• Slide to the ° symbol that appears

It's quick once you know it's there, but completely invisible until someone tells you. If you use it often, a text replacement shortcut under Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement (e.g., typing deg autocorrects to °) is faster.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android

Android keyboards vary by manufacturer and app, but the general path is:

• Switch to the symbols layout (tap ?123 or !#1)
• Look for ° directly on that panel, or long-press the 0 key (works on many Android keyboards including Gboard)

On Gboard specifically, long-pressing 0 in the symbol layout reveals the degree symbol. Samsung's keyboard and others follow similar patterns but the exact placement differs.

How to Type the Degree Symbol in HTML and Code

If you're writing web content or working in a code environment, use one of these:

Using ° in HTML is the most readable and universally supported approach for web work.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Linux

Linux users typically have two paths:

• Compose key sequence: If a Compose key is configured, press Compose → o → o to produce °
• Unicode input: Hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter — this works in GTK applications like most GNOME apps

The Compose key method depends on whether your system has a Compose key defined (it's not set by default on most distributions). The Unicode input method is more universally available across major Linux desktop environments.

The Variables That Determine Which Method Works for You

No single method is best for everyone. What actually works depends on:

• Your device type — desktop vs. laptop vs. mobile vs. tablet
• Your operating system and version — the shortcuts above apply to current versions; older systems may differ slightly
• Your keyboard layout — non-US keyboard layouts sometimes place special characters differently
• Your application — some apps (especially browser-based tools) intercept keyboard shortcuts before they reach the OS
• How often you need it — occasional use favors menus and copy-paste; frequent use favors keyboard shortcuts or text expansion

A developer writing temperature data into code has different needs than someone typing a recipe in a notes app or a student formatting a physics report. Each of those users will naturally gravitate toward a different method — and which one actually sticks depends on the keyboard, app, and workflow they're already running. ⌨️