How to Add the Degree Symbol on Any Device or Platform

The degree symbol (°) is one of those characters that everyone needs occasionally — whether you're writing about temperature, geographic coordinates, or angle measurements — but it's rarely sitting on a standard keyboard. The method that works best depends on your operating system, the application you're using, and how often you need it.

What the Degree Symbol Actually Is

The degree symbol is a standardized Unicode character: U+00B0. That single code underlies every method described below, whether the system is converting a keyboard shortcut, pulling from a character map, or interpreting an HTML entity. Knowing this matters because it means the symbol is consistent across platforms — the variation is only in how you input it.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows

Windows gives you several reliable paths depending on your workflow.

Using a keyboard shortcut (numeric keypad required): Hold Alt, then type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt. The ° symbol appears. This only works with Num Lock on and a full keyboard that includes a numeric keypad — it won't work on most laptop keyboards without an external numpad.

Using the Character Map utility: Search for "Character Map" in the Start menu, find the degree symbol, and copy it to your clipboard. Useful if you only need it once or twice and can't remember shortcuts.

Using emoji and symbol panel: Press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji and symbol panel. Switch to the Omega (symbols) tab and search or browse for the degree symbol. This works across virtually all modern Windows 10 and 11 applications.

Using AutoCorrect or text replacement: In Microsoft Word, you can configure AutoCorrect so that typing something like deg automatically converts to °. This is worth setting up if you write about temperature or angles regularly.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac

Mac keyboard shortcuts are generally more accessible than Windows equivalents.

Standard shortcut: Press Option + Shift + 8. This works system-wide — in browsers, word processors, notes apps, and almost anywhere you can type. It's fast enough that most Mac users memorize it after using it a few times.

Using the Character Viewer: Go to Edit → Emoji & Symbols in most apps, or press Control + Command + Space. Search "degree" and double-click the symbol to insert it.

How to Insert the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad 📱

No shortcut is needed — the degree symbol is built into the iOS and iPadOS touch keyboard.

Tap and hold the zero (0) key on the number keyboard. A small pop-up appears with the ° symbol. Slide your finger onto it and release. That's it.

If you type it frequently, you can also create a text replacement shortcut under Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement. Set a phrase like deg to auto-expand to °.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android

Android behavior varies slightly between manufacturers and keyboard apps, but the most common approach works similarly to iOS:

Switch to the numeric keyboard and long-press the zero (0) key. On most Android keyboards — including Gboard — this reveals the ° symbol as an option.

If your keyboard doesn't support this, you can copy the symbol from any source (such as a web search result) and paste it. Setting up a Gboard personal dictionary entry is another option that turns a custom shortcut into the ° character automatically.

Degree Symbol in Web and Document Contexts

Different tools have their own insert methods worth knowing.

In HTML, using the named entity ° is considered good practice because it's readable in source code and renders correctly regardless of character encoding.

In Google Docs, the special characters dialog is particularly useful — you can search by name or draw the symbol to find it, which helps with other uncommon characters too.

A Note on Similar-Looking Characters ⚠️

The degree symbol (°) is sometimes confused with two other characters:

• Masculine ordinal indicator (º) — looks almost identical but sits slightly differently; used in Spanish and Portuguese ordinals
• Superscript zero (⁰) — a formatting character, not a true degree symbol

If you're copying and pasting from various sources, it's worth confirming you've captured the right character (U+00B0), especially in technical or scientific documents where character accuracy matters.

The Variables That Change Your Best Approach

The "right" method depends on factors that are unique to your situation: whether you're on a laptop without a numeric keypad, how often you need the symbol, which applications you use most, and whether you prefer memorizing shortcuts or relying on menus.

A developer writing HTML has different needs than a student typing a physics report in Word, who has different needs again from someone drafting a weather update on their phone. Each of those use cases points toward a different method — and your particular combination of device, operating system, and workflow is what determines which approach is actually worth building into your habit.