Knowing how to type the degree symbol (°) can come in handy. After all, it pops up whenever we write about angles and the temperature. And if you’re working on a school/uni project, or putting together an important presentation at the office, you might need it here and there. So, here’s how to type the degree symbol on your laptop or desktop computer.
How to type a degree symbol on Windows
Typing the degree symbol on a Windows machine is super easy. Here’s a couple of quick methods…
Windows alt code for the degree symbol
1. Make sure your keyboard’s Num Lock is turned on.
2. Hold down the ‘Alt’ key on your keyboard.
3. With the numeric keypad (that bit where all the numbers are on the right side of the keyboard) type in ‘0176’ and let go of the ‘Alt’ key when you’re done typing.
4. The degree symbol (°) will then appear wherever your cursor is.
Windows character map degree symbol
1. Press the ‘Windows’ key (the one with their logo on it) and type ‘Character Map’ into the search bar.
2. Open the Character Map app.
3. In its search bar, type in ‘degree’.
4. Click on the degree symbol (°) and choose ‘Copy’.
5. Paste the symbol in where you need it.
Where is the degree symbol in Word?
In Microsoft Word, you can find the degree symbol in the ‘Symbol’ menu:
1. Head to the ‘Insert’ tab.
2. Click on ‘Symbol’ and then ‘More Symbols’.
3. Find the degree symbol (°) in the list, select it, and click ‘Insert’
How to add a degree symbol in Excel
Follow these steps to use a degree symbol in Microsoft Excel:
1. Click on the cell where you want the degree symbol to go.
2. Go to the ‘Insert’ tab.
3. Click on ‘Symbol’ and then ‘More Symbols’.
4. Look for the degree symbol (°), click it, then hit insert.
How to add a degree symbol in PowerPoint
Using the degree symbol in Microsoft PowerPoint is pretty similar to how you do it in Word and Excel:
1. Go to the slide where you want to use the degree symbol.
2. Head to the ‘Insert’ tab.
3. Click on ‘Symbol’ and the press ‘More Symbols’.
4. Find the degree symbol (°), choose it, and click ‘Insert’.
How to type the degree symbol on MacOS and MacBooks
Entering the degree symbol on Mac is slightly different:
1. Press and hold the ‘Shift’ key.
2. While holding it, press the ‘Option’ key and the number ‘8’ at the same time.
3. Let go of both keys, and the degree symbol (°) will appear.
How to type the degree symbol in ChromeOS and Chromebooks
Typing the degree symbol on ChromeOS is also really straightforward:
1. Press and hold the ‘Ctrl’ and ‘Shift’ keys.
2. While you’re holding both keys, press the ‘U’ key.
3. Release all of the keys and type ‘00B0’ (this is the Unicode for the degree symbol).
4. Hit ‘Enter’ and the degree symbol (°) will appear.
How to type the degree symbol on mobile devices
Typing the degree symbol on your phone is easy. On iPhones, tap the “123” key to switch to numbers and symbols, then press and hold the zero (0) key. When the degree symbol (°) pops up, just slide your finger over to select it.
On Android phones, it’s pretty much the same deal. Switch to the numbers or symbols keyboard, then press and hold zero to find the degree sign. Most keyboards, including popular ones like Gboard, work this way.
When to use the degree symbol
The degree symbol (°) shows up in all sorts of places. Use it when you’re writing temperatures like 30°C or 86°F. That way, you’ll make sure everyone knows you’re talking about degrees, not something else. It’s also used for angles in geometry - like a 90° corner - and in math or science when measuring rotations or arcs. Whenever you’re dealing with degrees, whether for weather, angles, or measurements, using the actual symbol is your best bet.
Degree symbol alternatives and common mistakes
The degree symbol (°) looks a lot like a few other characters, so it’s easy to mix them up. One common mix-up is with the superscript zero (⁰), which is basically a tiny zero raised above the line, often used in math for powers or exponents. It’s not the same as the degree symbol, even though they look similar.
Another lookalike is the letter “o,” which is just a regular lowercase letter. Using these by mistake can make your text look off or confusing, so be sure to stick with the correct degree symbol for temperatures and angles.
FAQs
What if the degree symbol doesn’t show up properly?
Try changing the font or checking your document’s encoding settings. If that doesn’t help, copy and paste it from a reliable source instead.
Is there a voice command to insert the degree symbol?
Some voice-to-text tools (like Siri) might recognise the term ‘degree symbol’ and insert it, but results can vary. It’s worth testing with your device’s speech settings though.
Can I use emojis instead of the degree symbol?
If you’re chatting casually with your mates, have at it. But if you’re working in a professional setting, it’s probably best not to. Emojis like the sun or thermometer might look fun, but they don’t replace the actual degree symbol in proper writing.
Can I copy and paste the degree symbol?
Yep. Just find it online or in a doc and highlight it. Then copy (Ctrl + C) and paste (Ctrl + V) wherever you need it.
Looking for more advice?
So, now you know how to add the degree symbol to your spreadsheets, docs, and presentations. But how do you find the euro symbol on any keyboard? All is revealed in our article…
