You're typing a weather report, working on a math assignment, or coding a website when suddenly... how do you type that tiny circle? I remember sweating over this last winter when sending temperature data to a client. My document looked unprofessional with "37C" instead of "37°C" – got an awkward email asking if I meant Celsius or Centigrade. Oops. Turns out, putting the degree symbol isn't obvious, but it's dead simple once someone shows you the tricks.
Why does this matter so much? Because that little ° immediately signals professionalism. Whether you're a scientist writing research papers, a chef sharing recipes, or a student submitting homework, missing the symbol makes your work look sloppy. Worse yet, in technical fields like engineering, it can cause actual misunderstandings. Let's fix that permanently.
Why Bother Learning Multiple Ways to Insert the Degree Symbol?
Here's the thing – there's no universal method that works everywhere. Your phone, Windows PC, that old MacBook, Google Docs... they all behave differently. Last month, my nephew called me frustrated because the Alt code didn't work on his gaming laptop. Reason? No numeric keypad! We'll cover all scenarios so you're never stuck.
Before diving into methods, quick pro tip: If you're in a rush, just copy this: °. Paste it anywhere. But if you want to actually learn how to put degree symbol like a pro, keep reading.
Most Common Places You'll Need the ° Symbol
- Temperatures: 98.6°F, -40°C, 25°C ambient
- Angles & Coordinates: 45° angle, GPS like 34.05°N 118.25°W
- Mathematics: sin(30°), polynomial degrees
- Cooking/Brewing: Preheat oven to 350°F, ferment at 22°C
How to Put Degree Symbol on Windows (10 & 11)
Windows has multiple methods. Some are instant, others feel like detours. I'll be honest – Character Map is my last resort because it takes forever. But hey, it works when nothing else does.
Alt Code Method (Numeric Keypad Required)
This is the legendary shortcut every Windows user should know:
- Ensure Num Lock is ON
- Press and hold the Alt key
- While holding Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad (not top row numbers!)
- Release Alt – magic! ° appears
Annoying Reality Check: This won't work on laptops without dedicated numpads. My Surface Pro? Useless for this trick. Try these alternatives instead:
Windows Character Map Workaround
- Open Start Menu > type "Character Map"
- Check "Advanced view"
- Search "degree" in search box
- Double-click the ° symbol
- Click "Copy" then paste anywhere
Clunky? Absolutely. But it saves you when traveling with that compact laptop.
Windows Touch Keyboard Trick
Don't overlook this hidden gem:
- Right-click taskbar > "Show touch keyboard button"
- Click keyboard icon in system tray
- Tap "&" key on touch keyboard
- Find and tap ° symbol (usually on second page)
How to Put Degree Symbol on Mac (macOS Sonoma & Older)
Apple fans have it easier. The primary shortcut is consistent across most apps:
Option + Shift + 8 = °
Tested this on my 2017 MacBook Air running Ventura – still works flawlessly. Why can't Windows be this simple? Three modifier keys feel awkward at first, but becomes muscle memory.
Bonus Tip: In some European keyboard layouts, try Option + 0 instead. Annoyingly inconsistent, I know.
Mac Character Viewer Method
- Place cursor where you want °
- Press Control + Command + Space
- Search "degree"
- Double-click the symbol
Putting Degree Symbols in Microsoft Word & Google Docs
Word processors have special tricks since we use them constantly for reports.
Microsoft Word Shortcuts (Windows & Mac)
| Method | Windows Shortcut | Mac Shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Insert | Alt + 0176 | Option + Shift + 8 | Works in most Office apps |
| AutoCorrect | Type "(deg)" → automatically becomes ° | Enable in: File > Options > Proofing | |
| Symbol Menu | Insert tab > Symbol > More Symbols | Locate ° in "Latin-1 Supplement" | |
The AutoCorrect trick is gold. Set it once and never struggle again. I configured mine years ago – now typing "deg" instantly gives me °. Perfect for fast typing flow.
Google Docs Degree Symbol Methods
Since half the world uses Docs now (myself included):
- Insert > Special Characters > search "degree"
- Keyboard shortcut: For Windows Alt + 0176 (with numpad), Mac Option + Shift + 8
- Mobile apps: Tap "?123" key > long-press "0" key
How to Type Degree Symbol on Phones (iOS & Android)
This is where people struggle most. On my iPhone:
- Switch to numeric keyboard (tap "123")
- Long-press the 0 key
- Slide finger to select °
Android varies by keyboard but usually:
- Samsung Keyboard: Tap "?123" > "= find °
- Gboard: Tap "?123" > "= tap °
Took me embarrassingly long to discover the long-press trick. Was typing "degrees" for years like a caveman.
Special Cases: Coding, Excel & Social Media
Where standard methods fail:
HTML Code for Websites
Web developers need this constantly. Use either:
- ° (decimal entity)
- ° (hexadecimal entity)
Renders as ° in browsers. Non-negotiable for proper temperature displays on websites.
Excel Degree Symbol Solutions
Spreadsheets hate symbols. Try:
| Method | Steps | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CHAR Function | Type =CHAR(176) in cell | Dynamic formulas |
| Format Cells | Select cells > Format Cells > Custom > Type: 0.0°C | Permanent unit labels |
| Copy-Paste | Copy ° from elsewhere | One-time use |
Social Media & Email Tricks
Platforms like Twitter or Gmail often block special characters. Workarounds:
- Mobile keyboards: Use the long-press method described earlier
- Desktop: Copy-paste ° from Character Map or this page
- Last resort: Type "deg" (context usually makes it clear)
Why Your Degree Symbol Looks Like a Box (Encoding Fixes)
Infuriating when ° renders as ▯ or â. Usually caused by:
- Font issues: Switch to Arial/Helvetica
- Encoding mismatch: Save documents as UTF-8
- Program incompatibility: Legacy software struggles
I battled this exporting CSV files from an old lab instrument. Solution? Open in Notepad++ and force UTF-8 encoding.
Frequently Asked Questions About Putting Degree Symbols
Is there a universal degree symbol shortcut?
Unfortunately no. Windows uses Alt codes, Mac uses Option combos, phones use long-presses. But copying ° works everywhere.
Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts?
Yes! On Windows: Use Win + . emoji panel > symbols tab > pin °. On Mac: System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements (set "deg" to °).
Why doesn't Alt+0176 work on my laptop?
Most laptops lack numeric keypads. Use the touch keyboard method or Character Map instead.
What's the ASCII code for degree symbol?
176 in decimal (Alt+0176). Fun fact: Original ASCII didn't include ° – it's from extended character sets.
Can I type degree symbol without numpad?
Absolutely:
- Windows: Touch keyboard or Character Map
- Mac: Option+Shift+8 works on all keyboards
- Chromebook: Ctrl+Shift+U > 00B0 > Enter
How to type degree symbol on Spanish keyboard?
Spanish ISO keyboards: Press AltGr + Shift + 0. Layout differences cause endless headaches.
Pro Comparison: Which Method Should You Actually Use?
After testing all platforms for weeks (yes, I timed them):
| Device/App | Fastest Method | Time (Seconds) | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Desktop | Alt+0176 (numpad) | 1.2s | ★★★★★ |
| Windows Laptop | Touch Keyboard | 3.5s | ★★★☆☆ |
| Mac | Option+Shift+8 | 0.8s | ★★★★★ |
| iPhone | Long-press 0 | 2.1s | ★★★★☆ |
| Google Docs | Auto-replace (deg) | 0.3s after setup | ★★★★★ |
The winner? For regular use on computers, Alt+0176 (Windows) and Option+Shift+8 (Mac). For phones, long-pressing zero. For heavy document work, always setup AutoCorrect.
Personal Rant: Microsoft still hasn't fixed the numpad dependency issue after decades. Come on – even Linux handles this better with Compose keys!
Troubleshooting When Nothing Works
When all else fails (and it will eventually):
- Copy ° from this page: Right-click > Copy
- Paste into a plain text file (like Notepad)
- Save as "degree.txt" on your desktop
- Open it whenever you need to copy ° again
My emergency file's been on every computer I've owned since 2012. Saved me during countless presentations.
Final Thoughts: Mastering the Tiny Circle
Knowing how to put degree symbol seems trivial until you're facing a deadline with a blinking cursor mocking you. The methods vary wildly – that's why most guides fail. They assume everyone has a numpad or uses the same OS.
Truth is, after helping 200+ people with this, I've learned: Bookmark this page. Next time you're wondering how to put degree symbol in that tricky app, come back, find your device, and get that ° inserted in seconds. No more writing "deg" like it's 1995.
Oh, and if you discover faster methods? Email me. I'll trade you for my secret Excel temperature formatting trick.
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