How to Type the Degree Sign on iPhone (All Methods)

The degree symbol — ° — is one of those characters you need occasionally but can't find on the standard iPhone keyboard. Whether you're texting a temperature, writing about angles, or noting geographic coordinates, knowing where it hides saves real frustration.

Where the Degree Sign Lives on the iPhone Keyboard

The degree symbol isn't visible at first glance, but it's built into the default iOS keyboard. No third-party app or settings change required.

Here's the fastest method:

1. Open any app where you can type (Messages, Notes, Mail, etc.)
2. Tap the 123 key to switch to the number keyboard
3. Press and hold the 0 (zero) key
4. A small popup will appear with the ° symbol
5. Slide your finger onto it and release

That's it. The degree sign is tucked behind the zero key as a long-press option — a common iOS pattern for hiding less-used characters without cluttering the keyboard.

Other Ways to Insert the Degree Symbol 🌡️

Copy and Paste From a Source

If you type the degree sign rarely, the simplest fallback is copying it from somewhere reliable — a previous message, a notes file you keep, or a trusted webpage. This works across every app and iOS version without any setup.

Use the Emoji & Symbols Keyboard

On iPhone, you can access a broader character picker:

1. Tap and hold the globe or emoji icon (bottom-left of the keyboard)
2. Select Emoji & Symbols (this option may appear depending on your keyboard settings and iOS version)
3. Once in the character viewer, search "degree"

This method works best in apps that support rich text input. In some messaging apps or fields, this route may not be available.

Create a Text Replacement Shortcut

If you type the degree symbol regularly, iOS text replacement is worth setting up:

1. Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement
2. Tap the + button
3. In the Phrase field, paste °
4. In the Shortcut field, type something memorable — like deg or *deg
5. Save it

From that point on, typing your shortcut anywhere on the iPhone will autocorrect to °. This is especially useful for people who regularly type temperatures or scientific notation.

Use Siri Dictation (Limited Use)

Voice input through dictation doesn't reliably produce the degree symbol. Saying "degree sign" typically produces the word, not the character. This method is generally not recommended for this specific symbol.

Why the Degree Sign Is Hidden in the First Place

Apple's keyboard design philosophy prioritizes the most commonly used characters. Symbols like °, ™, ©, and ≠ are used infrequently enough that surfacing them on the main or numeric keyboard would add clutter without much benefit to most users.

The long-press system — where holding a key reveals related characters — is iOS's solution to this tradeoff. Many keys have hidden variants:

Learning this pattern makes the whole keyboard more powerful, not just for the degree symbol.

Variables That Affect Which Method Works Best for You

Not every method works identically across every situation. A few factors shape which approach makes the most sense:

iOS version: The long-press method on the zero key has been consistent across recent iOS versions, but the character viewer (Emoji & Symbols) has changed in availability and layout over time. If you're running an older iOS version, some menu paths may differ slightly.

Keyboard language and layout: If you use a non-English keyboard or have multiple keyboards installed, the position of the zero key and the availability of long-press characters can vary. Some international keyboards already have the degree symbol more prominently placed.

Third-party keyboards: If you've replaced Apple's default keyboard with a third-party option (like Gboard or SwiftKey), the long-press behavior on the zero key depends on how that keyboard is configured. The symbol may or may not be in the same place.

App context: Certain apps — particularly forms, search fields, or specialized input areas — restrict what characters can be entered or may not trigger the iOS character picker correctly. In those cases, copy-paste is the most reliable fallback.

Typing frequency: Someone who writes about weather or cooking temperatures daily will find the text replacement shortcut a genuine time-saver. Someone who needs the symbol once a month will likely find the zero long-press sufficient. 🔢

A Note on Similar-Looking Symbols

It's worth knowing the degree symbol (°) is distinct from two characters it resembles:

• º — masculine ordinal indicator (used in Spanish/Portuguese numbering like "1º")
• ª — feminine ordinal indicator

If you copy a degree symbol from an unreliable source, double-check you have the correct character — especially if you're working in a technical, scientific, or publishing context where precision matters.

The gap in all of this is your own setup: which keyboard you're using, how often you need the symbol, which apps you work in most, and whether a one-time trick or an automated shortcut fits your workflow better. Those details are what determine which method actually serves you.