How to Type the Degree Symbol on a Chromebook

Typing a degree symbol (°) on a Chromebook isn't as obvious as it is on a Windows PC or Mac — there's no dedicated key, and the process depends on which method fits your workflow. The good news is there are several reliable ways to do it, and once you know the options, you can pick the one that suits how you work.

Why the Degree Symbol Isn't Immediately Obvious on ChromeOS

Chromebooks run ChromeOS, a lightweight operating system built around the Chrome browser. Unlike Windows, which has a longstanding Alt+numpad input system, or macOS with its Option key shortcuts, ChromeOS handles special characters differently. There's no numpad on most Chromebooks, and the keyboard layout doesn't include a dedicated symbol key for °.

That said, ChromeOS has built-in tools and workarounds that give you full access to the degree symbol and hundreds of other special characters.

Method 1: Unicode Input (The Built-In ChromeOS Method)

ChromeOS supports Unicode character entry directly in most text fields. This is the most reliable method that works without any extensions or additional tools.

How to do it:

1. Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol.
2. Press and hold Ctrl + Shift + U.
3. Release the keys — you'll see an underlined u appear.
4. Type 00b0 (the Unicode code for the degree symbol).
5. Press Enter or Space.

The ° symbol will appear immediately. This works in Google Docs, Gmail, web forms, and most other text input areas across ChromeOS.

🔑 The Unicode code for the degree symbol is 00B0 — worth saving somewhere easy to access if you use it frequently.

Method 2: Copy and Paste from the Web or a Document

The simplest method for occasional use: copy the symbol directly.

You can copy it right from here: °

Paste it wherever you need it using Ctrl + V. If you use the degree symbol regularly, consider keeping a reference document or a pinned browser tab with frequently used special characters.

This method works everywhere and requires zero setup — but it's not practical if you're typing degree symbols frequently mid-document.

Method 3: ChromeOS Special Characters Panel (Google Docs)

If you're working in Google Docs, there's a built-in special characters tool that makes this straightforward:

1. Click Insert in the menu bar.
2. Select Special characters.
3. In the search box, type degree.
4. Click the ° symbol to insert it.

Google Docs also remembers recently used special characters, so after the first time, it appears near the top of the panel for faster access.

Method 4: Keyboard Shortcut Within Google Docs

Google Docs supports custom keyboard shortcuts for symbols. You can assign the degree symbol to a shortcut combination you'll remember:

1. Go to Tools > Preferences > Substitutions.
2. In the Replace column, type a text trigger (e.g., deg).
3. In the With column, paste or type °.
4. Click OK.

Now whenever you type your trigger word followed by a space, Docs will auto-replace it with °. This is particularly useful for scientific writing, weather data, or recipe documents where degree symbols appear frequently.

Method 5: Use the ChromeOS On-Screen Keyboard or Emoji Picker

ChromeOS includes an emoji and special characters picker that you can access in most text fields:

• Right-click in a text input area and look for "Emoji & symbols" or a similar option.
• Search for "degree" and select the symbol.

Availability of this right-click option can vary depending on the app and ChromeOS version you're running.

Comparing the Methods at a Glance 📊

Factors That Affect Which Method Works Best for You

Not every method works identically across all Chromebook setups. A few variables determine your best path:

ChromeOS version — Google regularly updates ChromeOS, and the emoji/symbol picker behavior and right-click menu options have changed across versions. What's available on a Chromebook running a recent ChromeOS build may differ from an older device.

Where you're typing — The Google Docs substitution trick is Docs-specific. The Unicode input method works in most browser text fields but may not function in every Android app installed via the Play Store. Linux apps (if enabled on your Chromebook) may have their own input behavior.

Keyboard model — Some Chromebook keyboards, especially those from specific manufacturers, have slightly different layouts or function key behaviors that can affect shortcut combinations.

Input method (IME) — If you've added a second language or alternate keyboard layout in ChromeOS settings, your active Input Method Editor can change how special character shortcuts behave. Switching back to the US keyboard layout temporarily may be needed for Unicode entry to work as expected.

Frequency of use — Someone inserting a degree symbol once a month and someone writing temperature-heavy scientific documents have meaningfully different needs. A low-friction one-time copy-paste works fine for the former; a properly set up auto-substitution or memorized Unicode shortcut saves real time for the latter.

A Note on Android Apps on Chromebook 🤖

Many newer Chromebooks support Android apps through the Google Play Store. If you're typing inside an Android app rather than a web-based or native ChromeOS app, the Unicode Ctrl+Shift+U method may not work. In those cases, you'll typically need to use the Android-native approach: long-press the 0 key on a touchscreen keyboard to reveal the degree symbol, or rely on copy-paste.

The same principle applies to Linux (Crostini) apps — their keyboard handling is separate from ChromeOS, and special character input follows Linux conventions rather than ChromeOS ones.

The right method for typing a degree symbol on your Chromebook ultimately depends on which apps you spend time in, how often you need the symbol, and which ChromeOS features are active on your specific device and software version.