Where Is the Degree Sign on a Keyboard? (Every Method Explained)
The degree symbol — ° — doesn't have a dedicated key on most standard keyboards, which catches people off guard when they need it for temperatures, angles, or coordinates. But it's not hard to type once you know where to look. The method you use depends on your operating system, keyboard layout, and how often you need it.
Why There's No Dedicated Degree Key
Standard keyboard layouts — whether QWERTY, AZERTY, or QWERTZ — were designed around the most frequently used characters in written language. The degree sign is used often enough to be frustrating when missing, but not so universally that manufacturers reserved a physical key for it. Instead, it lives inside your operating system's character input system, accessible through shortcuts, alt codes, or special menus.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows ⌨️
Method 1: Alt Code (Numpad Required)
The most reliable Windows method uses the numeric keypad:
- Hold Alt
- Type 0176 on the numpad (not the top-row numbers)
- Release Alt
The ° symbol appears. This only works if Num Lock is on and you're using a full keyboard with a dedicated numpad. Laptops without a numpad can't use this method directly.
Method 2: Windows Character Map
- Open Start, search for Character Map
- Find the degree sign (°), click Copy
- Paste it wherever you need it
Slow for regular use, but reliable for one-off needs.
Method 3: Copy from Autocorrect or Search
Typing "degree symbol" into your browser's search bar and copying the result is surprisingly practical for occasional use.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac
On a Mac, the shortcut is clean and easy to remember:
- Option + Shift + 8 = °
This works system-wide in virtually every app. No mode-switching, no numpad dependency. Mac users generally have the easiest experience here.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and Android 📱
iPhone / iPad
- Open any text field
- Press and hold the 0 (zero) key on the keyboard
- A pop-up shows the degree symbol — slide to select it
Android
The process varies slightly by keyboard app:
- On Gboard: tap the ?123 key, then find ° in the symbols panel (sometimes requires tapping =< for a second symbols page)
- On Samsung keyboard: similar path through the symbols panel
Third-party keyboards like SwiftKey also include the degree symbol in their symbols layout.
How to Type the Degree Symbol on Linux
Linux gives you multiple options depending on your desktop environment:
- Compose key method: If configured, press Compose, then o, then o
- Unicode entry: Hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00B0, then press Enter
- Copy from GNOME Characters app
The Unicode input method (U+00B0) is the most universal approach across Linux distributions.
Degree Symbol in Specific Applications
| Application | Recommended Method |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Insert → Symbol, or Alt+0176 |
| Google Docs | Insert → Special Characters → search "degree" |
| Excel | Alt+0176 (Windows) or Option+Shift+8 (Mac) |
| HTML/Web | Use the entity ° or ° |
| CSS | Use 0B0 in content strings |
In Microsoft Word, AutoCorrect can also be configured to replace a custom shortcut (like deg) with ° automatically — useful if you type it constantly.
The Unicode Value Worth Knowing
The degree sign's Unicode code point is U+00B0. Knowing this matters if you work across platforms, code in any language, or use apps that support direct Unicode entry. It's also why copying the symbol from one system to another almost always preserves it correctly — it's a universally recognized character.
The degree sign is different from two similar-looking characters that sometimes get confused with it:
- Masculine ordinal indicator (º) — used in ordinal numbers in some languages, not a degree symbol
- Superscript zero (⁰) — a mathematical character, not interchangeable
Using the wrong one can cause display issues in data, code, or formal documents.
The Variable That Changes Everything 🖥️
Which method works best for you depends on factors that vary significantly from one setup to the next: whether your keyboard has a numpad, which OS version you're on, which apps you live in, and how often you actually need the symbol. A developer embedding it in HTML has different needs than someone typing weather reports in a word processor, and a Windows desktop user has different friction points than someone switching between a MacBook and an Android phone.
Once you know all the available paths, the right one tends to be obvious — but only once you've looked at your own setup honestly.