You can type the degree symbol on a keyboard using several quick techniques that work across devices, from Windows Alt codes to mobile emoji pickers. The degree sign (°) often appears in temperature, angles, and coordinates, and knowing a few methods saves time whether writing a report, a message, or code.
Key Takeaways
- The degree symbol (°) can be quickly inserted using shortcuts like Alt+0176 on Windows and Option+Shift+8 on Mac for efficient typing.
- Windows users can also use the Character Map or AutoHotkey scripts, while Linux users have Unicode and Compose key methods to access the degree sign.
- Mobile devices allow insertion of the degree symbol by long-pressing the zero key or selecting it from emoji/symbol panels on iOS and Android.
- Popular apps like Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer dedicated options to insert the degree sign through symbols or Unicode code.
- Saving the degree symbol as a clipboard snippet or using text replacements speeds up typing across different platforms and applications.
Quick Methods: The Fastest Way To Insert ° Anywhere
Use one of these fast options when speed matters:
- Press a platform-specific shortcut (like Alt+0176 on Windows or Option+Shift+8 on Mac).
- Paste the symbol from a quick clipboard snippet or an app’s symbol menu.
- On mobile, long-press the zero key or select the symbol from the emoji/keyboard extras.
These choices work in most text fields and apps: if a particular app blocks symbols, switching to a plain text editor, inserting the symbol, and copying it back usually fixes the issue. Keep a saved snippet for ° in a notes app for the fastest paste.
Windows: Alt Codes, Shortcuts, And Character Map
Windows offers several reliable paths to the degree symbol.
Alt Code Method (Numeric Keypad)
Hold Alt and type 0176 on the numeric keypad (Alt+0176) to insert ° in most Windows apps. It requires a separate numeric keypad, on laptops without one, enable the number pad via Fn or use an external keypad. Some apps accept Alt+248 as an alternative.
Character Map And On-Screen Keyboard Options
Open Character Map (search in Start), find the degree sign, copy it, and paste where needed. The On-Screen Keyboard’s numeric keypad plus Alt works when a physical keypad isn’t available. For frequent use, create an AutoHotkey shortcut (e.g., ::deg::°) to expand text automatically, this is handy for repetitive typing.
Mac: Option Keys, Emoji & Symbols, And Keyboard Viewer
On macOS the degree symbol is quick and system-integrated.
Press Option+Shift+8 to type ° directly. If that doesn’t match a keyboard layout, open the Emoji & Symbols viewer (Control+Command+Space), search for “degree,” and double-click the symbol to insert. The Keyboard Viewer (from Input Sources) shows the exact key combination for the active layout, useful on non-U.S. keyboards. For frequent use, add a text replacement in System Preferences (e.g., type “deg” → expand to °) so the symbol appears automatically.
Linux And Unicode: Compose Key, Ctrl+Shift+U, And Code Points
Linux users have multiple Unicode-friendly methods to get the degree sign.
Set a Compose key (often Right Alt or Menu): press Compose then o then o (compose o o) on some setups to produce °. Another universal approach is Ctrl+Shift+U, then type 00B0 and press Enter, that inserts the Unicode code point U+00B0. Terminal and text editors that support Unicode accept the same code point. If input methods differ by distribution, check the keyboard settings or add a custom shortcut in your desktop environment.
Mobile And Common Apps: iOS, Android, Word, Google Docs, And HTML
Mobile platforms and popular apps each offer straightforward inserts for the ° sign.
- iOS: Long-press the zero key on the default keyboard and slide to select the degree sign: it also appears in the symbol keyboard and can be added as a text replacement in Settings.
- Android: Long-press 0 or access the symbols/emoji panel (varies by keyboard, e.g., Gboard shows ° under symbols).
- Microsoft Word: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, choose Unicode 00B0: or type 00B0 then Alt+X in Word to convert the code to °.
- Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, search “degree” or draw the symbol to find it.
- HTML: Use the entity °: or numeric °: to render the degree sign in web pages.
In emails and chat apps the pasted symbol generally preserves correctly: for code or markup, prefer Unicode or HTML entities to avoid encoding issues.
Frequently Asked Questions About Typing the Degree Symbol
What is the fastest way to type the degree symbol on a Windows keyboard?
On Windows, hold the Alt key and type 0176 using the numeric keypad (Alt+0176) to quickly insert the degree symbol (°) in most applications.
How can I insert the degree symbol on a Mac keyboard?
Press Option+Shift+8 simultaneously on a Mac keyboard to type the degree symbol (°). Alternatively, use the Emoji & Symbols viewer with Control+Command+Space and search for “degree.”
How do I type the degree symbol on mobile devices like iOS and Android?
On iOS and Android, long-press the zero key on the keyboard and select the degree symbol (°) from the popup. The symbol is also accessible via the emoji or symbols keyboard extras.
What methods exist for typing the degree symbol in Linux?
Linux users can use the Compose key method (e.g., Compose then o then o) or press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 00B0, and then Enter to insert the degree symbol (°) via Unicode code.
How do I add the degree symbol in Microsoft Word and Google Docs?
In Word, use Insert → Symbol → More Symbols and select Unicode 00B0, or type 00B0 then press Alt+X. In Google Docs, go to Insert → Special characters, search “degree,” and select it.
Why is the degree symbol important to use correctly in writing and coding?
The degree symbol (°) accurately represents temperature, angles, and coordinates. Using it correctly ensures clarity in communication and prevents encoding errors, especially in code or web content.
