How to Type a Degree Symbol on Any Device

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters you rarely need — until you suddenly need it constantly. Whether you're writing about temperatures, geographic coordinates, or angles in a math document, knowing how to type ° quickly saves real frustration. The method varies significantly depending on your device and operating system, so here's a clear breakdown by platform.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't on Standard Keyboards

Most physical keyboards are designed around the most frequently typed characters. The degree symbol falls into a category of special characters — useful but not common enough to earn a dedicated key. Instead, it lives inside your operating system's character map, accessible through keyboard shortcuts, Unicode input methods, or on-screen tools.

Understanding which method works for you depends on your device type, OS version, and how often you need the symbol.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows

Windows offers several reliable methods:

Keyboard shortcut (Numpad required): Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row). Release Alt, and ° appears. This only works if your keyboard has a dedicated numpad and Num Lock is active.

Without a numpad: Many laptops don't have a numpad. In that case:

• Open the Character Map app (search for it in the Start menu), find the degree symbol, and copy it.
• Use Windows + . (period) to open the emoji and symbol panel — navigate to the symbols section to find °.

In Microsoft Word specifically: Type 00B0, then immediately press Alt + X. Word converts that Unicode code point into the degree symbol on the spot.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac

Mac keyboards make this relatively straightforward:

• Press Option + Shift + 8 — this inserts ° directly in most applications.

That shortcut works system-wide: in browsers, text editors, email clients, and word processors. It's worth memorizing if you're on macOS regularly.

Alternatively, you can hold down the 0 (zero) key on some macOS versions and a popover will appear with the degree symbol as an accent option.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad 📱

iOS doesn't display the degree symbol on the default keyboard, but it's one tap away:

1. Open the keyboard and tap the 0 (zero) key.
2. Hold it down — a popover appears with the ° symbol.
3. Slide your finger to ° and release.

This works in any text field on iOS. No settings changes needed.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android

Android keyboards vary by manufacturer and installed keyboard app, so the method isn't identical across all devices.

On Gboard (Google's default keyboard):

1. Tap ?123 to switch to the numbers/symbols keyboard.
2. Tap =< for the extended symbols view.
3. The degree symbol ° appears there.

On Samsung keyboards and third-party options like SwiftKey, the path is similar — look in the secondary or tertiary symbols panel. Some keyboards let you long-press the 0 key to reveal °, mirroring iOS behavior.

How to Type the Degree Symbol in Specific Apps

Unicode: The Universal Fallback

The degree symbol has a fixed Unicode code point: U+00B0. In any application that supports Unicode input, you can use this as a fallback. On Linux, for example, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter or Space.

This method is particularly useful for developers, writers working in plain-text editors, or anyone jumping between operating systems regularly.

The Variables That Affect Which Method Works for You 🔧

Several factors determine which approach is actually practical:

• Keyboard hardware — a numpad changes your Windows options entirely
• Operating system version — older Windows versions may not have the emoji panel; older Android keyboards may not have the long-press shortcut
• Application context — a web browser, a code editor, and a word processor may each handle special character input differently
• Keyboard app (mobile) — third-party keyboard apps on Android have their own symbol layouts that may or may not match the steps above
• Typing frequency — someone who types ° dozens of times a day might set up a text replacement shortcut (e.g., typing deg auto-expands to °) rather than using a multi-step method each time

Text replacement shortcuts — available in Windows (via AutoCorrect in Office apps), macOS (System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements), iOS, and Android — are worth considering if this symbol comes up often in your work.

When Copy-Paste Is the Honest Answer

For occasional use, copying ° directly from a webpage, a character reference, or a document is genuinely the most efficient option for many people. There's no rule that says you must memorize a shortcut you'll use twice a month.

The right method — shortcut, Unicode input, symbol panel, or text replacement — depends on how often you need the symbol, which device you're using, and what application you're working in. Those three factors together point toward very different practical answers for different users.