Choose the actual degree sign
The degree sign is °, Unicode U+00B0. It is easy to confuse with the masculine ordinal indicator º, which has a different code point, U+00BA. A small letter o is different again. Use the copy box above when you need the exact degree character rather than something that merely looks similar.
For an angle, you might write 90°. For a Celsius temperature, you might write 25 °C. The letter C is separate from the degree sign, so copying ° does not also insert a temperature unit. Use the spacing convention required by your document or style guide.
Pick a method for your document
Use the platform reference below to choose a method for your app. On a Windows numeric keypad, the documented sequence includes a leading zero: Alt + 0176. Keep Alt held while entering all four digits, then release it. The ordinary number row above the letters does not substitute for the keypad.
Word's 00B0 then Alt + X uses hexadecimal Unicode conversion, which is a different operation. Select just the code before converting it, especially if it follows letters such as A, B or C. In Excel, the formula =UNICHAR(176) produces the character as text; it does not assign a temperature unit to other numbers in the sheet.
When the result looks wrong
If a tiny raised o appears, check whether you copied ° or º. If an Alt sequence produces something else, use direct copying or another method from the reference below instead of trying longer decimal numbers. Keyboard settings and applications can interpret Alt entry differently.
If your document shows an empty box, try a font that includes the character. On a phone, you can copy the degree sign here and paste it into a text field that accepts ordinary text. Your app controls its final appearance.
Do I need separate Celsius and Fahrenheit symbols?
Usually, the degree sign followed by C or F is sufficient. Copy only ° if you want to choose the unit yourself. Keep the degree sign distinct from a superscript zero, even when the two look close in your selected font.
Quick reference
| Character | ° |
|---|---|
| Unicode | U+00B0 |
| Decimal | 176 |
| HTML entity | ° |
| HTML decimal | ° |
| HTML hex | ° |
| UTF-8 bytes | C2 B0 |
Typing methods by platform
These instructions are checked against the linked documentation. They are not a claim of testing on every device or app version.
Windows
Alt + 0176
In a compatible Windows app, hold Alt, type 0176 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
Enable Num Lock and include the leading zero. Microsoft documents this sequence in Word; behavior in other apps and code pages may differ.
Read the source ↗Mac
Character Viewer
Choose Edit → Emoji & Symbols, search for “degree sign” or its code 00B0, then select the character to insert it.
Expand Character Viewer if needed. Available characters depend on font support.
Read the source ↗Word
Unicode conversion in Word for Windows
Type 00B0, select those hexadecimal digits, then press Alt + X to insert °.
Applies to Word for Windows. Use a font that contains the character. This is Unicode conversion, not a Windows Alt code.
Read the source ↗Excel
=UNICHAR(176)
Enter =UNICHAR(176) in a cell to return °.
Excel 2013 or later. The English function name is shown; localized Excel may use another name. Paste values if you need text without a formula.
Read the source ↗Google Docs
Insert → Special characters
On a computer, choose Insert → Special characters and search for U+00B0 or degree sign. Select the matching symbol.
Google Docs and Slides on desktop. If the picker does not offer the symbol, copy it here and paste it into your document.
Read the source ↗Linux
Ctrl + Shift + U, 00B0, Enter
In a compatible GNOME/GTK text field, press Ctrl + Shift + U, release the keys, type 00B0, then press Enter.
Applies to GNOME/GTK Unicode entry, not every Linux application. Use copy and paste when the app intercepts this shortcut.
Read the source ↗