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The degree sign is ° (Unicode U+00B0). On Windows, use Alt+0176 with a 10-key numeric keypad; on Mac, the commonly reported shortcut is Option+Shift+8. If a shortcut is unavailable, use a symbol menu or character picker, or copy °.
Mobile keyboard layouts vary, and Linux’s Ctrl+Shift+U method is documented for GNOME and other GTK desktops rather than every Linux environment. The methods below help you enter the actual degree sign, not a similar-looking character.
First, make sure you are using the right symbol
Use ° (U+00B0) for temperatures and angular measurements. Similar-looking characters are different:
| Character | Unicode name | Typical distinction |
|---|---|---|
| ° | U+00B0 DEGREE SIGN | Degree sign used for temperatures and angles |
| ˚ | U+02DA RING ABOVE | A separate diacritic or phonetic mark |
| º | U+00BA MASCULINE ORDINAL INDICATOR | An ordinal indicator, not the degree sign |
| ∘ | U+2218 RING OPERATOR | A mathematical operator |
Microsoft’s Math AutoCorrect reference identifies ° as “Degrees,” U+00B0, and lists \deg and \degree commands for Word Math AutoCorrect. Do not rely on appearance alone to distinguish similar characters.
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Windows
Using a numeric keypad
Microsoft documents Alt+0176 for Word on keyboards with a 10-key numeric keypad. Enter the digits on that keypad, not the number row above the letters.
- Place the insertion point where you want the symbol.
- Turn on Num Lock if your keyboard requires it.
- Hold Alt and type
0176on the numeric keypad. - Release Alt.
The result should be °. The shortcut is not guaranteed on keyboards without a numeric keypad or in every application.
In Microsoft Word: symbol menu or Unicode conversion
If the keypad shortcut is unavailable, in Word choose Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, select the degree sign, and insert it. Menu names may vary by Office version.
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Word also supports Unicode conversion: type 00B0, then press Alt+X. If Word converts the wrong text because other hexadecimal characters are adjacent, select only 00B0 first. Do not treat Alt+X as a universal Windows shortcut; support depends on the Office application.
Using Windows Character Map
- Open the Start menu and search for Character Map.
- Open it and locate the degree sign.
- Select the character, choose Select, then Copy.
- Paste it where needed.
Character Map is a useful fallback when a keyboard shortcut is inconvenient or unsupported.
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macOS
Common keyboard shortcut
A commonly reported Mac shortcut is Option+Shift+8. Keyboard layout and input source can affect shortcuts, so if it does not work, use Character Viewer or Unicode Hex Input.
Using Character Viewer
- Open the Edit menu in an app and choose Emoji & Symbols.
- Search for degree in Character Viewer.
- Double-click the degree sign to insert it.
You can also open Character Viewer from the Input menu, if available, by choosing Show Emoji & Symbols.
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- Open System Settings and go to Keyboard.
- Under Input Sources, add Unicode Hex Input.
- Switch to that input source from the Input menu.
- Hold Option and type
00B0.
Switch back to your usual input source when finished. For occasional use, Character Viewer is a simpler option.
Linux
GNOME and other GTK desktops
The Unicode Consortium documents this sequence for GNOME and other GTK environments:
- Press
Ctrl+Shift+U, then release the keys. - Type
00B0. - Press
SpaceorEnter.
The sequence should insert °.
KDE, Qt, or other environments
Do not assume Ctrl+Shift+U works in every Linux desktop. The Unicode Consortium guidance does not describe an equivalent function for KDE and other Qt environments. Try GNOME Character Map, KDE KCharSelect, or the application’s symbol menu; you can also copy and paste °.
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iPhone and iPad
The Unicode Consortium says iOS has no official hexadecimal-code input method. A secondary guide reports that holding 0 may expose ° on an iPhone or iPad keyboard, but keyboard layouts can vary.
- Open the keyboard’s number or symbol view.
- Look for °, or try touching and holding
0. - Select the degree sign if it appears. Otherwise, use a keyboard character picker or copy and paste °.
Android phones and tablets
Android has no single degree-symbol gesture that is reliable across keyboard apps and layouts. The Unicode Consortium says Android has no official hexadecimal-code input method; third-party keyboards may provide one.
- Open the keyboard’s number or symbol view.
- Look for ° or check the keyboard’s long-press options.
- If it is unavailable, use a character picker offered by the keyboard app or copy and paste °.
Typing the degree sign in code and markup
HTML
These HTML character references produce the degree sign:
°°°
For example, <p>Water freezes at 0°C.</p> renders as “Water freezes at 0°C.”
CSS generated content
In a CSS string, use the Unicode escape \00B0:
.temperature::after { content: "\00B0"; }
This is for generated content; ordinary visible text is generally better placed in the HTML.
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JavaScript and Python
In JavaScript and Python string literals, use the Unicode escape \u00B0:
const label = "25\u00B0C";
label = "25\u00B0C" in Python produces a string containing °.
LaTeX
Common forms include \textdegree{} in text mode and ^\circ in mathematical expressions. Package-specific commands may also be available; follow the conventions used in your document.
Quick troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
| Alt+0176 does nothing | Use a 10-key numeric keypad, enable Num Lock if needed, or use Word’s symbol menu or Windows Character Map. |
| Word converts the wrong text with Alt+X | Select only 00B0 before pressing Alt+X. |
| Ctrl+Shift+U fails on Linux | It is documented for GNOME/GTK, not every desktop. Try GNOME Character Map, KDE KCharSelect, or an application symbol menu. |
| A mobile keyboard does not show ° | Check its symbol view and long-press options, use its character picker, or copy and paste the symbol. |
| Similar circle-like characters look alike | Check the character: the degree sign is U+00B0, not U+02DA, U+00BA, or U+2218. |
FAQ
What is the degree symbol shortcut on Windows?
In Word, Microsoft documents Alt+0176 on a keyboard with a 10-key numeric keypad. If that is unavailable, use Word’s Insert > Symbol menu or Windows Character Map.
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What is the degree symbol shortcut on a Mac?
Option+Shift+8 is a commonly reported shortcut. If your keyboard layout or input source behaves differently, use Character Viewer or Unicode Hex Input.
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How do I type the degree sign without a numeric keypad?
Use Word’s symbol menu, Windows Character Map, macOS Character Viewer, or copy and paste °. The Alt+0176 method requires a 10-key numeric keypad in the documented Word instructions.
Is the degree sign the same as a ring above?
No. The degree sign is ° (U+00B0); the ring above is ˚ (U+02DA). They are distinct characters even if they look similar in some fonts.
Can I type a degree sign with a Unicode code on a phone?
There is no official hexadecimal-code entry method on iOS or Android, according to the Unicode Consortium. Mobile keyboard options vary, so try the symbols view, a keyboard character picker, or copy and paste.
The Bottom Line
The standard degree sign is ° (U+00B0). Windows Word supports Alt+0176 with a 10-key numeric keypad; Word also has a symbol menu. On Mac, try the commonly reported Option+Shift+8 shortcut or Character Viewer. Linux’s Ctrl+Shift+U sequence is for GNOME/GTK environments, while mobile keyboard options vary. When in doubt, use a character picker or copy and paste the symbol.
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