Degree Symbol (°): Copy, Paste & Type It on Any Device

The degree symbol (°) is a small raised circle used to show temperature, angles, and geographic coordinates. You can copy the symbol above or type it using a keyboard shortcut on Windows, Mac, phones, tablets, and other devices.For more special characters, see our guide to keyboard symbols.

On Windows, the most common shortcut is Alt + 0176 using the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Option + Shift + 8. This guide explains every common way to type, copy, and use the degree symbol.

Degree Symbol Quick Reference

What Is the Degree Symbol?

The degree symbol is written as ° and is also called the degree sign. It is a typographic symbol used with measurements such as temperature, angles, and geographic coordinates.

The Unicode code point for the degree symbol is U+00B0. It is different from characters that look similar, such as the masculine ordinal indicator º and the ring above ˚.

A degree represents one part of a 360-degree circle. For example, a right angle is 90°, a straight angle is 180°, and a complete circle is 360°.

The symbol is also commonly used with temperature scales. Examples include 25°C for Celsius and 77°F for Fahrenheit.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Windows

Windows provides several ways to enter the degree symbol. The easiest method depends on whether your keyboard has a numeric keypad.

Alt Code

The standard Windows degree symbol Alt code is Alt + 0176.

1. Place the cursor where you want the symbol.
2. Turn on Num Lock.
3. Hold down the Alt key.
4. Type 0176 on the numeric keypad.
5. Release Alt.

The degree symbol ° should appear where your cursor is located.

The older Alt + 248 code also works in many Windows applications, but Alt + 0176 is the more commonly recommended option.

Important: The Alt code normally requires the numeric keypad. Typing 0176 using the number row above the letters usually will not produce the degree symbol.

Symbol Panel

If your Windows keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, use the built-in symbol panel.

Press:

Windows key + . (period)

You can also press:

Windows key + ; (semicolon)

Open the Symbols section and look for the degree symbol °.

This method is especially useful on laptops and compact keyboards without a dedicated number pad.

Character Map

Windows Character Map provides another way to find and copy special characters.

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Search for Character Map.
3. Open the application.
4. Find the degree symbol °.
5. Select it and click Copy.
6. Paste it into your document or application.

Character Map can also be useful when you need other keyboard symbols that are not available from a regular keyboard.

Laptop Without Numpad

Many laptops do not have a full numeric keypad, so Alt + 0176 may not be convenient.Many laptops do not have a full numeric keypad, so Alt + 0176 may not be convenient. If you want to learn more about the keys and functions found on laptop keyboards, see our guide to laptop keyboard keys.

You can use the Windows symbol panel instead by pressing Windows + . and selecting the degree symbol.

Some laptops also provide a hidden numeric keypad through the Fn key. If your keyboard has small numbers printed on certain letter keys, check whether Num Lock or an Fn-based number pad is available.

For most users, however, the Windows symbol panel or copy-and-paste method is simpler.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Mac

The easiest Mac shortcut for the degree symbol is:

Option + Shift + 8

Press all three keys together and the degree symbol ° will appear.

You can also use the macOS character viewer:

1. Press Control + Command + Space.
2. Search for degree.
3. Select the degree symbol.
4. Double-click it to insert it.

Be careful not to confuse the degree symbol ° with the ring above ˚. They look similar but are different Unicode characters.

On Mac, Option + K produces ˚, while Option + Shift + 8 produces the actual degree sign °.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on iPhone and iPad

You can type the degree symbol directly from the standard iPhone or iPad keyboard.

1. Open the keyboard.
2. Tap 123 to switch to the numeric keyboard.
3. Press and hold the 0 key.
4. A small menu of symbols appears.
5. Slide your finger to ° and release.

The degree symbol will be inserted into your text.

This method works in common apps such as Messages, Notes, Mail, Safari forms, and many other apps that use the standard iOS keyboard.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Android

The exact keyboard layout can vary between Android devices, but the degree symbol is commonly available on the symbols keyboard.

On Gboard:

1. Tap ?123.
2. Tap the symbols key such as =<.
3. Find and tap °.

Samsung Keyboard and other Android keyboards may place the degree sign in a slightly different location.

If you cannot find it, use your keyboard’s symbol search or copy the degree symbol from this page.

How to Type the Degree Symbol on Linux and Chromebook

Linux systems commonly support Unicode input for special characters.

Press:

Ctrl + Shift + U

Then type:

00b0

Press Enter or Space to insert:

°

On some Linux desktop environments, b0 may also work after the Unicode input sequence.

Chromebooks can also use Unicode input. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, enter the Unicode code, and press Enter.

Keyboard layouts and Linux desktop environments can differ, so the exact behavior may depend on your system configuration.

How to Type the Degree Symbol in Word, Excel & Google Docs

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word provides several ways to insert the degree symbol.

You can use the Windows shortcut:

Alt + 0176

Another convenient Word method is to type:

00B0

Then press:

Alt + X

Word converts the Unicode code into the degree symbol °.

You can also go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols and select the degree sign.

Microsoft Excel

In Excel, you can insert the degree symbol with the Unicode function:

=UNICHAR(176)

To combine it with a value and the letter C, for example:

=A1&UNICHAR(176)&"C"

If A1 contains 25, the result is:

25°C

You can also type the degree symbol directly into a cell using the Windows Alt code.

Google Docs and Google Sheets

In Google Docs, go to:

Insert → Special characters

Search for degree and select °.

In Google Sheets, you can also use:

=UNICHAR(176)

This returns the degree symbol.

Degree Symbol Codes

The degree sign has several useful codes depending on the application or programming language.

HTML

You can write the degree symbol directly:

25°C

Or use an HTML entity:

25°C

The decimal entity also works:

25°C

CSS

CSS can insert the degree symbol using its Unicode escape:

.temperature::after {
  content: "\00B0";
}

This is useful when a website needs to display the symbol through generated content.

Degree Symbol in LaTeX

In LaTeX, the degree symbol is commonly written using the ^\circ command in math mode.

For example:

$90^\circ$

This produces:

90°

For scientific documents, packages such as siunitx can provide more structured handling of units and temperature values.

For example:

\SI{25}{\celsius}

Using a dedicated unit package can be useful when writing technical or scientific documents that contain many measurements.

Celsius and Fahrenheit

The degree symbol is commonly combined with C for Celsius and F for Fahrenheit.

Examples:

• 25°C — 25 degrees Celsius
• 77°F — 77 degrees Fahrenheit
• 0°C — freezing point of water under standard conditions
• 100°C — boiling point of water under standard conditions

Kelvin is different. Kelvin temperatures are written without a degree symbol:

300 K

not:

300°K

The standalone Unicode characters ℃ and ℉ also exist, but the more common forms in ordinary digital text are °C and °F.

Degree Symbol vs Similar Symbols

Several Unicode characters can look similar to the degree sign. However, they have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Masculine Ordinal Indicator

The character º is the masculine ordinal indicator. It is used in languages such as Spanish and Portuguese for ordinal expressions.

For example:

1º

It looks similar to the degree symbol but is not the same character.

Ring Above

The ring above ˚ is a different Unicode character used as a spacing diacritic. It should not be substituted for the degree sign when writing temperatures or angles.

Superscript Zero

The superscript zero ⁰ is used in mathematical notation, exponents, and other contexts where a raised zero is required.

It is not a degree symbol.

Ring Operator

The ring operator ∘ is a mathematical symbol used for function composition.

For example:

f ∘ g

It should not be used in place of the degree sign.

How to Write Degrees Correctly

The correct formatting depends on what you are measuring.

Temperature

Temperature is commonly written with the degree symbol followed by the unit:

25°C

In scientific and SI-style writing, a space is generally placed between the numerical value and the unit:

25 °C

Follow the style guide required for your document and remain consistent.

Angles

For angles, the degree sign normally follows the number without a space:

90°

Examples include:

• 45°
• 90°
• 180°
• 360°

Latitude and Longitude

Geographic coordinates can use degrees, minutes, and seconds.

For example:

40° 26′ 46″ N

The symbols ′ and ″ represent minutes and seconds. They are different from ordinary apostrophes and quotation marks.

Writing the Word “Degrees”

Use the word degrees when the measurement is part of normal prose:

The temperature reached 30 degrees.

The symbol is often more convenient in measurements, tables, technical information, and compact displays:

Temperature: 30°C

Degree Symbol Examples

Here are some common examples of the degree symbol in everyday use:

• Room temperature: 22°C
• Warm weather: 30°C
• Water temperature: 100°C
• Fahrenheit temperature: 72°F
• Right angle: 90°
• Straight angle: 180°
• Full circle: 360°
• Geographic coordinate: 40.7° N
• Camera or screen tilt: 45°
• Oven temperature: 350°F

Degree Symbol Not Working?

If the degree symbol does not appear correctly, try these solutions.

Alt Code Does Nothing

Make sure Num Lock is enabled and that you are using the numeric keypad.

Remember that Alt + 0176 generally does not work from the number row above the letters.

You Get the Wrong Character

You may have entered a similar-looking character such as º or ˚.

For the actual degree sign, use:

Windows: Alt + 0176

Mac: Option + Shift + 8

The correct character is:

°

The Symbol Appears as a Box

A square, empty box, or question mark can indicate a font or encoding problem.

Try a common Unicode-compatible font and make sure the document or webpage uses UTF-8 character encoding.

Your Laptop Has No Numpad

Use the Windows symbol panel with:

Windows + .

You can also copy and paste ° directly.

A Shortcut Does Not Work

Some applications, remote desktop software, or custom keyboard layouts can interfere with keyboard shortcuts.

If a shortcut fails, use the application’s Insert Symbol feature or copy the degree symbol directly.

If your entire keyboard is not responding, see our guide on Why Is My Keyboard Not Working?.

Degree Symbol FAQs

How do I type the degree symbol on a keyboard?

On Windows, press Alt + 0176 using the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Option + Shift + 8. You can also copy and paste °.

What is the Alt code for the degree symbol?

The standard Windows Alt code for the degree symbol is Alt + 0176. Alt + 248 also works in many Windows applications.

What is the Unicode for the degree symbol?

The Unicode code point for the degree symbol is U+00B0.

How do I type the degree symbol on an iPhone?

Open the numeric keyboard, press and hold 0, then select °.

How do I type the degree symbol on Android?

On Gboard, tap ?123, open the symbols keyboard, and select °.

How do I type the degree symbol without a numpad?

On Windows, press Windows + . to open the symbol panel and select °. You can also copy and paste the symbol.

What is the difference between the degree symbol and the ordinal indicator?

The degree symbol ° is used for temperatures, angles, and geographic coordinates. The masculine ordinal indicator º is used in ordinal numbers in languages such as Spanish and Portuguese.

How do I write Celsius and Fahrenheit?

Use °C for Celsius and °F for Fahrenheit. For example, 25°C and 77°F.

Is there a keyboard key for the degree symbol?

Most standard English keyboards do not have a dedicated degree key. On Windows, you can use Alt + 0176, while Mac users can press Option + Shift + 8.

What is the difference between ° and º?

° is the degree sign used for measurements. º is the masculine ordinal indicator. Although they look similar, they are different Unicode characters and should not be used interchangeably.