How to Type a Degree Symbol on a Keyboard (Every Method Explained)

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that doesn't live on any standard key — yet it shows up constantly in temperature readings, geographic coordinates, math, and design work. Knowing where to find it depends almost entirely on what device and operating system you're using.

Why There's No Dedicated Key for It

Most keyboards follow a layout optimized for everyday writing. Special characters like °, ©, or ™ get left off physical keys to save space. Instead, every major operating system provides at least one way to access them — sometimes several. The method that works fastest for you will depend on your OS, whether you're on a desktop or mobile device, and how often you need the symbol.

Windows: Multiple Paths to the Same Symbol

Using Alt Codes

The most widely cited method on Windows is the Alt code: hold down Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt. The ° symbol appears.

This only works if:

• You're using a full-size keyboard with a dedicated numeric keypad
• Num Lock is turned on
• The application you're typing in supports Alt codes (most do)

Laptop users without a numpad often find this method frustrating or unavailable.

Using the Character Map

Windows includes a built-in tool called Character Map (search for it in the Start menu). You can browse all available characters, click °, copy it, and paste it wherever you need it. It's not fast, but it works on any Windows PC regardless of keyboard layout.

Using Copy-Paste or AutoCorrect

Many users simply copy the symbol from a website or document and paste it where needed. Alternatively, you can set up an AutoCorrect rule in Microsoft Word or Outlook — for example, typing (deg) automatically converts to °.

Using Emoji & Symbol Panel

Press Win + . (Windows key + period) to open the emoji and symbol panel. Switch to the Symbols tab, find the degree symbol, and click to insert. This works across most modern Windows applications.

macOS: The Shortcut Is Already There

On a Mac, the degree symbol has a dedicated keyboard shortcut:

Shift + Option + 8 → °

That's it. It works system-wide in virtually any text field. No settings to change, no Num Lock to worry about. For Mac users, this is almost certainly the fastest method.

If you want to explore more symbols, Control + Command + Space opens the Character Viewer, which lets you search for and insert any Unicode character.

Linux

Linux behavior varies by distribution and desktop environment. Common methods include:

• Compose key sequences: If a Compose key is configured, you can press Compose, then o, then o to produce °
• Unicode input: Hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00b0, then press Enter — this works in many GTK applications
• Character map applications: Most desktop environments include a graphical character picker

The Unicode hex code for the degree symbol is U+00B0, which is consistent regardless of platform.

Mobile Devices 📱

iOS and Android

On smartphones and tablets, the degree symbol is typically accessible directly from the keyboard — no special settings needed:

1. Open the numbers/symbols keyboard (tap 123 or ?123)
2. On some keyboards it appears immediately; on others, tap a secondary symbols layer (often labeled =< or similar)
3. The ° symbol is usually grouped near temperature or math-related keys

The exact location varies by keyboard app. Third-party keyboards like Gboard or SwiftKey may place it differently than the default system keyboard.

Long-press shortcuts

Some keyboards let you long-press the 0 (zero) key to reveal the degree symbol as a hidden option — a fast path once you know it's there.

Comparing Methods at a Glance

When Precision Matters: ° vs Similar-Looking Characters

Not all degree symbols are created equal in technical contexts. There are a few look-alikes worth knowing:

• ° (U+00B0) — the actual degree sign, used in temperatures, angles, and coordinates
• º (U+00BA) — the masculine ordinal indicator (used in Spanish/Portuguese numbering), visually similar but semantically different
• ˆ and other superscript characters — sometimes mistakenly used in informal contexts

For scientific writing, geographic data, or any context where the text might be parsed by software, using the correct Unicode degree sign (U+00B0) matters. Copying from a reliable source or using your OS's character viewer ensures you're inserting the right one.

The Variable That Matters Most 🔑

The "best" method isn't universal — it shifts depending on how frequently you need the symbol, what software you're working in, and which device is in front of you. A scientist typing temperature values all day in a spreadsheet has different needs than someone who occasionally types weather descriptions on a phone. Even within the same OS, the right shortcut for a desktop workstation with a numpad looks completely different from the right shortcut for a compact laptop.

Your keyboard layout, the application you're working in, and whether you've customized your system settings all factor into which path actually saves you time.