How to Do Degrees Symbol on Keyboard: Quick Typing Shortcut

I still remember my uncle’s face when I typed °F for the first time in his workshop back in ’98. Some symbols just feel magical when they finally appear on screen.

The degree symbol hides in plain sight across every major OS. Windows users get it with a simple Alt code, Mac fans have a dedicated key combo, and Linux offers multiple paths. No special tools required.

You’ll be inserting temperature readings, angles, or coordinates in under 5 seconds once you know the right sequence. The trick is remembering which method works for your specific keyboard layout.

Between you and me, I still keep a text file with all the special characters I use regularly. Works every time when my muscle memory fails.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the fastest way I’ve found to type this symbol across any device.

Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard. With it held down, type 0176 on the numeric keypad. Release the Alt key and the degrees symbol (°) will appear at your cursor. This works in any application that accepts text input.

If you’re using a laptop without a dedicated numpad, you’ll need to enable the Num Lock function first. Many laptops use the Fn key in combination with the right-side number keys to simulate a numpad. Check your specific model’s documentation for the exact key combination.

Search for Character Map in the Start menu and open the application. In the font dropdown, select the font you’re currently using. Scroll through the characters until you find the degrees symbol (°), then double-click it to select.

Click the Copy button, then paste the symbol into your document. This method works when keyboard shortcuts aren’t available or if you’re having trouble with the Alt code method. The Character Map also shows you the Unicode value (U+00B0) for reference.

On a Mac, the process is even simpler. Press Shift + Option + 8 simultaneously. The degrees symbol will appear immediately at your cursor position. This shortcut works across all macOS applications.

If you’re using a Mac with a non-American keyboard layout, the shortcut might differ. In this case, you can use the Emoji & Symbols viewer (accessible via Control + Command + Space) to find and insert the degrees symbol.

On iOS, open the keyboard and switch to the Numbers and Symbols layout. Press and hold the 0 (zero) key, and a popup will appear with the degrees symbol (°) as an option. Slide your finger to select it.

On Android, the process varies slightly by keyboard app. With Gboard, switch to the Symbols layout (usually accessible via the ?123 or Sym key), then look for the degrees symbol. Some Android keyboards may require you to long-press the 0 key similar to iOS.

For any device, if these methods fail, you can always copy the symbol (°) from this guide and paste it into your document.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These small details often make the difference between frustration and instant success.

Numpad Nuance: In Step 1, ensure you’re using the numeric keypad, not the top row numbers. The Alt code 0176 only works with the numpad. If your laptop lacks a dedicated numpad, check your manufacturer’s docs for Fn key combinations—I’ve seen models where Fn+MJJKLUIOOP works as a virtual numpad.

Character Map Pro Tip: For Step 2, after opening Character Map, try searching for “degree” in the search box rather than scrolling. This saves time, especially with fonts that have hundreds of characters. Also, the Unicode value U+00B0 is universal—if you remember this, you can find the symbol in any character map application.

Mac Shortcut Clarity: In Step 3, the Shift + Option + 8 combination must be pressed simultaneously. I’ve noticed some users struggle because they’re pressing the keys in sequence rather than together. Practice the three-finger press: left hand on Shift and Option, right hand on 8.

Mobile Method Consistency: For Step 4, the long-press on the zero key works on most modern devices, but older Android versions might require switching to the symbols layout first. If you’re using Gboard, the degree symbol is typically in the second page of symbols, accessible via the ?123 key followed by =/+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now you can easily type the degrees symbol (°) on any device! Whether you’re using a Windows PC, Mac, or smartphone, the shortcuts and methods above will save you time. Try them out next time you need to enter temperatures or angles—you’ll be a pro in no time! 💡