15 Methods for Adding a Degree Symbol With a Keyboard or App
What Is the Degree Symbol?
The degree symbol is a small raised circle: °
It is used in several common situations, including:
Temperature: 72°F or 22°C
Angles: 90°
Geographic coordinates: 40.7128° N
Mathematics and science: 45° angle
Weather reports: 30°C
Technical writing: 180° rotation
The degree symbol is different from the letter “o,” the number “0” and the masculine ordinal symbol “º.” Although they may look similar in some fonts, they are not the same character.
Using the correct degree symbol helps your writing look more professional and accurate.
Why You May Need To Add a Degree Symbol
You may need the degree symbol when writing reports, resumes, presentations, spreadsheets, scientific notes, weather descriptions, classroom materials, engineering documents or travel information.
For example, you might write:
The average temperature was 68°F.
The room should be heated to 22°C.
The triangle includes a 90° angle.
The location is 35.6762° N, 139.6503° E.
Because the symbol is not always visible on a standard keyboard, many people need shortcuts or app tools to insert it.
15 Methods for Adding a Degree Symbol
1. Use Alt + 0176 on Windows
One of the most common ways to type a degree symbol on Windows is to use an Alt code.
Steps:
Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol.
Press and hold the Alt key.
Type 0176 on the numeric keypad.
Release the Alt key.
The degree symbol should appear.
Example:
75°
This method usually requires a keyboard with a numeric keypad. It may not work if you use the number row at the top of the keyboard instead of the numeric keypad.
2. Use Alt + 248 on Windows
Some Windows users can also type the degree symbol with another Alt code.
Steps:
Place the cursor where you want the symbol.
Press and hold Alt.
Type 248 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt.
The degree symbol may appear depending on your system and app.
Example:
100°C
If Alt + 248 does not work, use Alt + 0176 instead. Alt + 0176 is more commonly recommended for the degree symbol.
3. Use the Windows Character Map
Windows includes a tool called Character Map that lets you find and copy special characters.
Steps:
Open the Start menu.
Search for Character Map.
Open the Character Map app.
Find the degree symbol.
Select it.
Click Copy.
Paste it into your document or message.
This method is useful if you do not have a numeric keypad or cannot remember keyboard shortcuts.
You can also search within Character Map by using advanced view if available.
4. Use the Windows Emoji and Symbols Panel
Windows also has a quick symbols panel that can help you insert special characters.
Steps:
Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
Press Windows key + Period.
Open the symbols section.
Look for the degree symbol.
Click the symbol to insert it.
This method is useful for emails, documents, chat apps and web forms.
It may be faster than opening Character Map, especially if you already use the Windows emoji panel.
5. Use the Symbol Menu in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word has a built-in Symbol menu for inserting special characters.
Steps:
Open your Word document.
Click where you want the degree symbol.
Go to the Insert tab.
Select Symbol.
Choose More Symbols if the degree symbol is not visible.
Find the degree symbol.
Click Insert.
Close the symbol window.
This method is useful when writing formal documents, reports, school assignments or professional materials in Word.
Once you use the degree symbol, Word may show it in your recently used symbols, making it easier to insert again later.
6. Use a Keyboard Shortcut in Microsoft Word
If you use Microsoft Word often, a keyboard shortcut can be faster than opening the Symbol menu.
On many Windows keyboards, you can use:
Alt + 0176
Steps:
Place your cursor in the Word document.
Hold Alt.
Type 0176 on the numeric keypad.
Release Alt.
The degree symbol should appear.
This is one of the fastest methods if your keyboard has a numeric keypad.
7. Use AutoCorrect in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word allows you to create AutoCorrect shortcuts.
You can set Word to replace a short text code with the degree symbol.
Example:
Type: degsym
Word changes it to: °
Steps:
Open Word.
Go to File.
Select Options.
Choose Proofing.
Click AutoCorrect Options.
In the Replace field, type your shortcut, such as degsym.
In the With field, paste the degree symbol.
Click Add.
Click OK.
After setup, you can type your shortcut and Word will replace it with the degree symbol automatically.
This is useful if you type degree symbols often in technical documents, weather reports or science assignments.
8. Use Option + Shift + 8 on Mac
On many Mac keyboards, you can type the degree symbol with a keyboard shortcut.
Steps:
Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
Press Option + Shift + 8.
The degree symbol should appear.
Example:
30°C
This is one of the fastest methods for Mac users.
Some Mac users may also see similar-looking symbols through other Option key combinations, so make sure you are inserting the true degree symbol.
9. Use the Character Viewer on Mac
Mac also includes a Character Viewer for inserting symbols.
Steps:
Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
Open the Character Viewer.
Search for degree.
Select the degree symbol.
Insert it into your text.
You can usually open the Character Viewer from Edit > Emoji & Symbols in many Mac apps. Some Mac keyboards also allow access through the Fn or Globe key, depending on settings.
This method is helpful if you cannot remember the shortcut or need other special characters.
10. Use Google Docs Special Characters
Google Docs has a built-in special character tool.
Steps:
Open your Google Docs file.
Click where you want the degree symbol.
Select Insert.
Choose Special characters.
Search for degree.
Click the degree symbol.
The symbol will appear in your document.
This is useful if you work in Google Docs and do not want to rely on device-specific shortcuts.
You can also draw a small circle in the search box if the tool supports drawing symbols.
11. Use Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel
You may need the degree symbol in spreadsheets for temperatures, angles or scientific data.
In Google Sheets, you can often copy and paste the degree symbol directly into a cell.
Example:
25°C
In Microsoft Excel on Windows, you can use Alt + 0176 if you have a numeric keypad.
Steps for Excel:
Select the cell.
Type the number or text.
Press Alt + 0176 where you need the symbol.
Continue typing if needed.
Example:
= "Temperature: 25°C"
You can also paste the degree symbol into formulas, labels, chart titles or table headers.
12. Use iPhone or iPad Keyboard
On iPhone or iPad, you can usually find the degree symbol through the on-screen keyboard.
Steps:
Open the app where you want to type.
Tap the text field.
Switch to the number/symbol keyboard.
Press and hold the 0 key.
Select the degree symbol if it appears.
This method is useful for texts, notes, emails, weather updates and social posts.
Keyboard layouts may vary by language and app, so the exact location can differ.
13. Use Android Keyboard
On Android, the degree symbol is usually available through the symbols keyboard.
Steps:
Tap the text field.
Open the number or symbols keyboard.
Look for the degree symbol.
If you do not see it, press and hold the 0 key or check the additional symbols page.
Tap ° to insert it.
The exact steps may vary depending on your keyboard app, such as Gboard, Samsung Keyboard or another Android keyboard.
If the symbol is hard to find, copying and pasting it may be faster.
14. Copy and Paste the Degree Symbol
The simplest method is to copy and paste the symbol.
Copy this:
°
Then paste it wherever you need it.
This method works almost everywhere, including:
Emails
Documents
Spreadsheets
Forms
Presentations
Chat apps
Social media posts
Website editors
Copying and pasting is useful when you only need the symbol occasionally or when keyboard shortcuts are not working.
15. Use HTML or Unicode for Web Pages
If you are writing HTML, you can use an HTML entity to display the degree symbol.
Common options include:
°
°
Example:
25°C
This displays as:
25°C
If you work with code, websites, CMS platforms or online editors, HTML entities can help ensure the symbol appears correctly.
You can also use the Unicode character directly:
°
For most modern websites and apps, typing or pasting the symbol directly works well, but HTML entities are useful in code.
Comparison Table: Degree Symbol Methods
| Method | Best For | Works On | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alt + 0176 | Fast Windows typing | Windows with numeric keypad | Easy |
| Alt + 248 | Alternate Windows shortcut | Some Windows setups | Easy |
| Character Map | Finding symbols manually | Windows | Easy |
| Windows emoji panel | Quick symbol insertion | Windows | Easy |
| Word Symbol menu | Formal documents | Microsoft Word | Easy |
| Word shortcut | Frequent Word users | Microsoft Word on Windows | Easy |
| Word AutoCorrect | Repeated use | Microsoft Word | Medium |
| Option + Shift + 8 | Fast Mac typing | Mac | Easy |
| Mac Character Viewer | Browsing symbols | Mac | Easy |
| Google Docs special characters | Online documents | Google Docs | Easy |
| Spreadsheet insertion | Data tables and charts | Excel, Google Sheets | Easy |
| iPhone keyboard | Mobile typing | iPhone, iPad | Easy |
| Android keyboard | Mobile typing | Android | Easy |
| Copy and paste | One-time use | Almost anywhere | Very easy |
| HTML entity | Web pages and code | HTML editors | Medium |
Degree Symbol vs. Similar Symbols
The degree symbol can be confused with other small circular symbols.
Here are common look-alikes:
Degree symbol: °
Letter o: o
Number zero: 0
Masculine ordinal indicator: º
Ring above diacritic: ˚
The correct symbol for temperature and angles is °.
For example:
Correct: 90°
Incorrect: 90o
Correct: 32°F
Incorrect: 32ºF
In casual writing, people may understand the meaning even if the wrong character is used. But in professional, academic or technical writing, using the correct symbol is better.
Common Uses of the Degree Symbol
The degree symbol is most often used with temperature and angles.
Temperature examples:
0°C
32°F
100°C
72°F
Angle examples:
45°
90°
180°
360°
Geographic coordinate examples:
51.5072° N
0.1276° W
Technical examples:
Rotate the image 90°.
The slope angle is 30°.
The oven should be preheated to 350°F.
If you write in science, engineering, geography, weather, cooking, mathematics or education, you may use the degree symbol often.
How To Type Celsius and Fahrenheit Symbols
The degree symbol is often used with C or F.
Celsius:
°C
Fahrenheit:
°F
To type them, insert the degree symbol first and then type C or F.
Examples:
25°C
77°F
Do not add an extra space in standard temperature notation unless your style guide says otherwise.
Common format:
25°C
Not usually:
25 °C
Some scientific style guides may prefer a space between the number and unit, so follow the required style for your field or publication.
How To Type a Degree Symbol in Presentations
You may need the degree symbol in PowerPoint, Google Slides, Keynote or other presentation tools.
Common methods include:
Copy and paste the symbol.
Use the Insert Symbol menu if available.
Use Alt + 0176 on Windows.
Use Option + Shift + 8 on Mac.
Use the app’s special character tool.
For presentations, make sure the symbol is readable in the font you choose. Some fonts display special characters more clearly than others.
If the symbol looks too small or misaligned, try a different font or adjust the text size.
How To Type a Degree Symbol in Email
Most email apps allow you to use standard keyboard shortcuts or copy and paste.
For Windows:
Use Alt + 0176.
For Mac:
Use Option + Shift + 8.
For mobile:
Use the phone keyboard’s symbol options.
For occasional use:
Copy and paste °.
This works in common email platforms such as Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail and many webmail tools.
How To Type a Degree Symbol in Search Engines
You can paste the degree symbol directly into a search engine.
Examples:
weather 30°C meaning
90° angle triangle
40.7128° N 74.0060° W
Many search engines understand the symbol, but you can also type the word “degrees” if the symbol is not available.
Example:
90 degrees angle
This is useful if you are searching quickly and do not need formal formatting.
Troubleshooting: Why the Degree Symbol May Not Work
Sometimes the degree symbol may not appear correctly.
Common reasons include:
The keyboard shortcut does not work in that app.
Your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad.
Num Lock is turned off.
You typed numbers from the top row instead of the numeric keypad.
The font does not support the symbol clearly.
The app does not support special characters well.
You used a similar-looking symbol by mistake.
If a shortcut fails, try another method such as copy and paste, Character Map, Character Viewer or the app’s Insert menu.
Best Method by Device
For Windows:
Use Alt + 0176 if you have a numeric keypad. Use Character Map or the Windows symbols panel if you do not.
For Mac:
Use Option + Shift + 8 or the Character Viewer.
For iPhone:
Press and hold the 0 key or check the symbols keyboard.
For Android:
Check the symbols keyboard or press and hold the 0 key, depending on your keyboard app.
For Microsoft Word:
Use Insert > Symbol or Alt + 0176.
For Google Docs:
Use Insert > Special characters.
For web pages:
Use ° or ° in HTML.
For quick one-time use:
Copy and paste °.
Tips for Using the Degree Symbol Correctly
Use the real degree symbol, not the letter “o.”
Check spacing based on your style guide.
Use °C for Celsius and °F for Fahrenheit.
Make sure the symbol is readable in your chosen font.
Use consistent formatting throughout the document.
For scientific, academic or technical work, follow the required formatting rules.
For casual writing, clarity is usually more important than strict style.
How Dokie Can Help You Create Clear Technical and Educational Slides
If you need to present temperature data, angles, geography, science concepts or technical measurements, Dokie can help turn your notes into professional slides. You can use Dokie to organize formulas, explain symbols, create lesson materials, build charts or prepare technical presentations without spending hours adjusting layouts manually. This is useful for teachers, students, analysts, engineers and business teams who need accurate content presented in a clear visual format.
Conclusion
The degree symbol is small, but it is useful in many types of writing. You may need it for temperatures, angles, coordinates, technical documents, presentations, spreadsheets or educational materials.
There are many ways to insert it. Windows users can often use Alt + 0176. Mac users can use Option + Shift + 8. Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer built-in symbol tools. Mobile users can usually find the symbol through the on-screen keyboard. When in doubt, copying and pasting ° is the simplest solution.
The best method depends on your device, app and how often you need the symbol. Once you learn the shortcut or tool that works best for your workflow, typing the degree symbol becomes quick and easy.
FAQs
What is the degree symbol?
The degree symbol is °. It is used for temperature, angles, geographic coordinates and certain scientific or technical measurements.
How do I type the degree symbol on Windows?
You can often type it by pressing Alt + 0176 on a numeric keypad.
How do I type the degree symbol on Mac?
On many Mac keyboards, you can press Option + Shift + 8.
How do I type the degree symbol in Microsoft Word?
You can use Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, or use Alt + 0176 on Windows if your keyboard has a numeric keypad.
How do I type the degree symbol in Google Docs?
Go to Insert > Special characters, then search for degree and select the symbol.
How do I type the degree symbol on iPhone?
Open the keyboard, switch to numbers or symbols, then press and hold the 0 key if the degree symbol is available.
How do I type the degree symbol on Android?
Open the symbols keyboard or press and hold the 0 key, depending on your Android keyboard app.
Can I copy and paste the degree symbol?
Yes. You can copy this symbol: °
What is the HTML code for the degree symbol?
You can use ° or ° in HTML.
Is the degree symbol the same as the letter o?
No. The degree symbol ° is different from the lowercase letter o.
Is the degree symbol the same as º?
No. º is usually the masculine ordinal indicator, not the standard degree symbol.
How do I write Celsius with the degree symbol?
Write the degree symbol followed by C, such as 25°C.
How do I write Fahrenheit with the degree symbol?
Write the degree symbol followed by F, such as 77°F.
Why does Alt + 0176 not work?
It may not work if your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, Num Lock is off or the app does not support the shortcut.
What is the easiest way to insert a degree symbol?
For one-time use, copying and pasting ° is the easiest method. For frequent use, a keyboard shortcut is faster.